Council – 10 December 2013

Present

THE MAYOR – Councillor Peter Clark

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

The council met at the Civic Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.

2238  MAYOR’S REMARKS – The Mayor welcomed fellow councillors, officers and members of the public to the meeting.

The Mayor referred to the number of events he had so far attended.  He had also requested that the flag at the Civic Centre be flown at half mast to pay tribute on behalf of the council and the people of North Lincolnshire to a remarkable man.  Nelson Mandela fought for his beliefs and for his people, despite serving a 27 year prison sentence.  His passion for what he believed in still remained after his release and led him to become the president which was a remarkable achievement.  He is a legend and inspiration to people all over the world, and I am sure he will be remembered by future generations.

The council then observed a minute’s silence in memory of Mr Mandela.

2239    DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests were indicated as follows –

Member Subject/Minute
Councillor M Ali Hackney Carriage Driver/Licence Holder
South Humber Racial Equality Council – Trustee
Crosby Community Association – Chair
Councillor R Allcock Isle of Axholme and North Notts Water Management Board – Member
Environment Agency – Severn Trent Region Regional Flood Defence Committee – Member
Councillor T Barker Isle of Axholme and North Notts Water Management Board – Member
 

Councillor J Briggs

Humberside Fire Authority – Member

Isle of Axholme and North Notts Water Management Board – Member

Councillor P Clark North East Lindsey Internal Drainage Board – Member
Councillor T Ellerby South Humber Racial Equality Council – Acting Chair
Councillor J England Humberside Police and Crime Panel – Member

Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Management Board – Member

Councillor J Evison Humberside Police and Crime Panel – Member

Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member

Councillor I Jawaid South Humber Racial Equality Council – Member
Councillor H Kataria Hackney Carriage Driver/ Licence Holder

South Humber Racial Equality Council – Member

Councillor E Marper Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member
Councillor R Ogg Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member
Councillor C O’Sullivan Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust – Member
Councillor N Poole Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Management Board – Member
Councillor Mrs E Redfern North Lincolnshire Homes – Member

Humber Bridge Board – Vice Chairman

Councillor D Robinson Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust – Member
Councillor H Rowson Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Management Board – Member
Councillor Carl Sherwood North Lincolnshire Homes – Member

Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member

Councillor N Sherwood Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member
Councillor R Waltham North Lincolnshire Homes – Member

Humberside Fire Authority – Member

Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member

Councillor J Wardle North East Lindsey Internal Drainage Board – Member
Councillor D Whiteley Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Management Board – Member

2240  MINUTES – Resolved– That the minutes of the ordinary meeting and the special meeting of the council held on 16 July 2013 having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor.

2241  (9)  REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES – The Chief Executive submitted a report on the requirement to undertake a compulsory review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places.

The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places.  The next compulsory review must now be started and completed by 31 January 2015.  Subsequent compulsory reviews must be started and completed within the period of 16 months that starts on 1 October of every fifth year after 1 October 2013.

A review is all the steps set out in Schedule A1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA1983).  The review process from the publication of a Notice of a Review until the publication of the documents at the end, must take place and be completed by 31 January 2015.  The length of the review process is not prescribed within the legislation, provided that all the steps required by it can be undertaken within it.  However, the time allowed for consultation should be sufficient to enable interested persons and groups to read and understand the proposals, gather comments and respond with any alternative arrangements that they may wish to submit.

Guidance received from the Electoral Commission indicated that local authorities  need to decide when to carry out the review within the specified period taking into account other statutory duties and processes the (Acting) Returning Officer and his staff would be carrying out in that time period. In particular, consideration would need to be given to the current annual canvass, the publication of the electoral register, scheduled polls such as the European Parliamentary Elections in May 2014, and the start of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER).

The report contained further detailed information about the legislative requirements of the review together with other detailed information.

Resolved – (a) That council notes the requirement to conduct a compulsory review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places; (b) that arrangements be made to commence the review of polling districts and polling places in North Lincolnshire on 1 June 2014 and that a final report on the outcome of the review be submitted to council in December 2014, and (c) that in the meantime, arrangements be made, subject to other requirements, to carry out any necessary and appropriate preparatory work in advance of the commencement of the review on 1 June 2014.

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

2242  (10)  COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME – A report was submitted by the Director of Policy and Resources seeking a decision on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme the council would offer for 2014/2015.  This was an annual decision and the council could decide whether to continue with the current scheme or to make changes.  In addition, any decision on the level of council tax discount would have an effect on the local taxbase which was considered separately on the agenda for the meeting.  The report explained the principles of the current scheme, how it had been working in the current year and presented two options for the future with an estimate of their relative costs.

The Local Council Tax Support Scheme offered means tested assistance to those on low incomes who would otherwise have difficulty paying council tax.  It was part of the National Welfare System and replaced Council Tax Benefit in April 2013.  At that point responsibility for the scheme passed from the Department for Work and Pensions to the council and the government grant was transferred, with the risk of benefit of future variability in demand falling to the council.  Each council could then implement its own local scheme following public consultation.

The North Lincolnshire Scheme aimed to contain the cost of support to the amount of grant transferring from government.  It meant an increase in the amount council tax payers receiving benefit would pay, and in many cases there would be an amount to pay for the first time.  The council had also set up a modest support fund to fund those facing a reduction and suffering from financial hardship as a result.  The scheme was similar to the previous national scheme, but benefits were lower.  In developing a proposed scheme a number of principles had been adopted which were outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report.  The scheme adopted for 2013/2014 followed these principles.  It provided full protection to pensioners (as prescribed by government) and limited the reduction in support for working age tax payers to 8.5%.  This was less than the 23% reduction which the original draft scheme envisaged as the government offered additional funding for one year to those schemes which limited the reduction to 8.5%.  The council had accepted the offer and modified the scheme accordingly.

The changes to council tax support affect precepting bodies as well as the council itself.  That includes the Police Commissioner, the Fire Authority and Parish and Town Councils.  For 2013/2014, the two major precepting bodies were consulted and both expressed support for the principles of the scheme and had agreed that the costs of the scheme should be minimised.  The council also made a grant available to Parish and Town Councils to offset the loss in tax payers due to a new council tax discount.

The council now had to review the scheme and confirm what criteria would apply for 2014/2015.  The legislation provided for councils to modify schemes year on year, but not in year, should changes be needed.  The scheme for 2014/2015 had to be agreed by no later than 31 January 2014 and if no decision was made on a local scheme by that date a default scheme defined by regulations would automatically come into force.

The report presented two options for consideration –

  • To continue with the current scheme and set the discount at the same level as this year or
  • To implement the 23% reduction scheme.

The report then analysed the options and described other factors to be taken into account in relation to any scheme.  Appendix 1 to the report compared the likely cost of the two alternatives in 2014/2015, for the council and its major preceptors (Police and Fire) at the level of council tax presumed in the current financial plan.  The comparison assumed that, based on the current experience of minimal demand, a council tax support fund was not needed for the 8.5% reduction scheme as the sums involved were modest but was required for the 23% scheme.

The proposed scheme was attached at Appendix 2.  This was essentially the same scheme as was approved for 2013/2014 except that there was no provision for a separate council tax support fund.  It assumed that the reduction in working age benefits was limited to 8.5%.

The report set out the resource implications involved in this matter together with any other implications.  Both the Humberside Police Commissioner and Humberside Fire Authority had been consulted on these proposals.

Resolved – (a) That the Council Tax Support Scheme at Appendix 2 to the report be confirmed, and (b) that the council also confirm its intention to retain the scheme for 2015/2016.

Council Tax Support Scheme

2243  (11)  CALCULATING THE COUNCIL TAX BASE FOR 2014/2015 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report asking the council to consider 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 18 October 2013, as submitted to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), to set a tax base for setting council tax for the council, local parishes and major precepting authorities and to decide whether to make payment of grant to Town and Parish councils to compensate for the reduction in council tax base, due to the council tax support scheme and on what terms.  The report highlighted the requirements of relevant regulations and how the council tax base would be used.

The report also referred to the council tax support scheme which had been introduced in 2013/2014.  It replaced council tax benefit with a discount.  The effect of this was to reduce the council tax base and therefore the amount of council tax an area would yield.  Central government provided funding to notionally meet 90% of the costs of these changes.  However, government did not have a mechanism to directly reimburse town and parish councils.  The funding for these bodies was paid to a higher tier council in the town and parishes area.  That higher tier council was given full discretion to decide what level of support, if any, it provided to its local parishes.  In 2013/2014 this council provided financial support to town and parish councils to offset these losses, subject to certain conditions.  It was necessary for the council to take decisions on whether to continue providing support to town and parish councils and if so whether to vary the conditions imposed in 2012/2013.

The report contained further detailed information about the tax base for grant purposes and support for town and parish councils with additional information set out in appendices a, b and c.

Resolved – (a) That the council tax base for the council, parishes and major precepting bodies in 2014/2015, as set out in appendix b to the report, be approved (total 44,447.6 Band E equivalents), and (b) that the council continue to provide grant support to parishes with the same conditions as in 2013/2014 as outlined in paragraph 3.11 of the report.

Calculating the Council Tax Base for 2014/2015

2244  (12)  SETTING THE NON-DOMESTIC RATES TAX YIELD FOR 2014/2015 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which considered the North Lincolnshire National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) Tax Yield for 2014/2015.  Under arrangements introduced from 1 April 2013, the total business rate for England was shared 50/50 between central and local shares.  The local share was then allocated to individual councils in proportion to the amount of business rates they collected in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 and increased by inflation each year.  The government used the central share to fund any grants it made to local government.

The new funding regime had three elements –

  • Formula grant funding from government.
  • The local share of business rates.
  • Council tax.

Each year the council was required to estimate the amount of NNDR it believed it would collect in the following financial year and make a return, the NNDR1, to government.  However, there were restrictions on how much of the local share of business rates councils like North Lincolnshire could retain.  This was because the government wanted to protect areas which currently depended the most heavily on central government funding.  It used the 2012/2013 local government settlement to derive a start up funding assessment for each council.  This meant that it would continue to redistribute business rates from authorities with large tax bases to those with smaller tax bases relative to their needs.  It would do this by applying a tariff to some councils in order to provide a top up to others.  This would come out of the local share. The tariff for 2014/2015 for North Lincolnshire would be £9.7m.  This was fixed for seven years, upgraded annually in line with RPI.

The NNDR1 return estimated the amount of NNDR the council would collect for the following year 2014/2015.  Half of this total would then be paid over to central government, with a further 1% share being paid to the Humberside Fire Authority as a local precepting body.  Humberside Police were now funded outside the new system through grant.  Any tariff was then paid from the remaining portion.  If the sum remaining after all these payments was made was more than the share of NNDR funding the government had determined for the council it would have to pay a levy of 25% on the excess.  This means that the council could retain a proportion of any growth in business rate income after adjusting for annual inflation.  There was a levy of a further 25% on “excessive” growth after the 50/50 central/local share determined.  It was intended to tie councils more directly to the fortunes of the local economy and to give them a greater incentive to take a more active role in promoting economic prosperity.

There were risks that the council’s funding would fall in circumstances of recession or economic decline.  For this reason, the government guaranteed a minimum level of funding for each council if actual NNDR receipts were lower that their base line funding level.  Councils were guaranteed to receive 92.5% of the base line funding level, so for North Lincolnshire Council the maximum loss for 2014/2015 was equivalent to £5.1m equivalent to a 9% increase in council tax.  If receipts fell by more than this amount, the council would receive a payment from the government under its safety net scheme.

Under the scheme North Lincolnshire Council had an opportunity to offset future reductions in central funding by growth in its business base, but it was also unusually reliant on a small number of businesses paying large amounts of NNDR.  That included Tata Steel and a number of refineries and power stations which comprised a substantial part of the local tax base.  This council was the only Humber Authority which was a tariff authority, all others would receive a top up grant.  For the same reason there was a greater volatility in the local tax base due to appeals against rating valuations.  The government had allowed for successful appeals by reducing its estimate of the national NNDR tax income.  The government would continue to set the parameters of the scheme including the business rate to be levied so there was no change for businesses that paid this tax.

The report contained further detailed information in relation to this matter including the resource implications.  Appendix A to the report set out the net rate yield after transitional arrangements and rate retention.

Reference was made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent autumn statement and its implications for this matter.

Resolved – (a) That the report and the recent changes to business rates made in the autumn statement be noted, and (b) that Cabinet be authorised to approve the Business Rate Tax Yield at its meeting to be held on 28 January 2014.

Setting the Non-Domestic Rates Tax Yeild for 2014/2015

2245  (13)  TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY REPORT – MID YEAR REVIEW 2013/2014 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report providing a mid year review of the Treasury Management Strategy approved by council as part of the 2013/2014 budget.  The report gave details of progress to date and covered treasury management performance for the seven months between April and October 2013.  The report explained how the strategy had been implemented during the first part of the year, the state of the financial markets, and the response to change in conditions in those markets.  The report also provided an update on the recovery of the council’s Icelandic investments.

The report contained detailed information about the investment strategy and the borrowing strategy for 2013/2014, the recovery of the Icelandic investments and attached as appendices to the report were comprehensive details about these issues.

Resolved – That the mid year treasury management performance be noted.

Treasury Management and Strategy Report – Mid Year Review 2013/2014

2246  (14)  STANDARDS COMMITTEE – ANNUAL REPORT – 2012/2013 – A report was submitted by the Director of Policy and Resources asking council to receive the annual report of the Standards Committee under the council’s revised standards regime for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013.

The Localism Act 2011 saw the widespread revision of the previous statutory standards regime including the abolition of Standards for England and much of the supporting legislative framework.  The council’s new standards regime came into force on 1 July 2012.  The report attached to the covering report of the Director gave details of the work and activities of the Standards Committee under the revised regime for the period 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013.  It was presented to council in accordance with the requirements of the council’s annual governance statement.  It had been approved by the Standards Committee at its meeting on 17 July 2013 with a request that the Monitoring Officer provide a copy to all town and parish councils in the area.

Resolved – That the report of the Standards Committee for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 be received.

Standards Committee Annual Report 2012/2013

2247  CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT – The Chief Executive presented an oral report updating council about the response to the recent floods in North Lincolnshire.  He indicated that the worst tidal surge in the history of North Lincolnshire had caused significant flooding in both the River Humber and the River Trent.  He gave an account of the work of the council along with other agencies in response to the floods and indicated that the recovery stage was now in progress.  Five hundred properties within North Lincolnshire had had flood related damage.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

2248  PLANNING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 3 and 31 July, 28 August, 26 September, 23 October and 20 November 2013 be received with the exception of minutes 1537(i), 1538(v), 1542(i) and 1547(xiii).

2249  APPLICATION 2013/0754 – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor England –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2250  APPLICATION 2013/0620 – With regard to excepted portion (b) it was –

Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor England –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2251  APPLICATION 2013/0616 – With regard to excepted portion (c) it was –

Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor England –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2252  APPLICATION 2013/1188 – With regard to excepted portion (d) it was –

Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor England –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2253  LICENSING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Committee held on 4 July, 12 and 24 September, 21 October and 7 November, 2013 be received, approved and adopted.

2254  AUDIT COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 25 June and 24 September 2013 be received.

2255  STANDARDS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Standards Committee held on 27 June, 17 July and 12 September 2013 be received.

2256  HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 14 June, 3 October 2013 be received with the exception of minutes 7 and 25.

2257  NHS NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP – COMMISSIONING PLAN 2013/2014 – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Waltham and seconded by Councillor Mrs Redfern –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2258  DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING – With regard to excepted portion (b) it was –

Moved by Councillor Waltham and seconded by Councillor Mrs Redfern –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2259  APPEALS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Appeals Committee held on 19 July, 6 August and 18 September 2013 be received.

2260  PLACES SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Places Scrutiny Panel held on 12 June, 17 July, 4 and 21 September, 16 October and 6 November 2013 be received with the exception of minute 313.

2261  REVIEW AND UPDATE OF POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS –  With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Evison and seconded by Councillor Davidson –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2262  PEOPLE SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the minutes of the People Scrutiny Panel held on 29 May, 19 June, 10 July, 28 August,  11 September, 2 and 22 October and 13 November 2013 be received with the exception of minutes 210, 225 and 226.

2263  CALL-IN – MINUTE 94 OF THE PEOPLE CABINET MEMBER MEETING HELD ON 22 AUGUST 2013 – Consultation on the building of an intermediate care facility – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Marper and seconded

That the minute be received.

Moved by Councillor Collinson and seconded by Councillor Godfrey as an amendment.

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

At the request of members and in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.22(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the amendment are as follows –

FOR:  Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Carlile, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kataria, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson

AGAINST:  Councillors Allcock, Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, Evison, T Foster, Glover, Marper, Ogg, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells

ABSTAINING:  Nil

Amendment Lost
Motion Carried

2264  NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROVISION GCSE OUTCOMES – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Marper and seconded by Councillor Collinson –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2265  RAISING THE PARTICIPATION AGE – ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION With regard to excepted portion (b) it was –

Moved by Councillor Marper and seconded by Councillor Collinson –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

2266  CORPORATE SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Corporate Scrutiny Panel held on 4 and 25 July, 5 and 26 September and 17 October 2013 be received.

2267  HEALTH SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Health Scrutiny Panel held on 9 and 30 July, 10 September, 2 October and 11 November 2013 be received with the exception of minute 166.

2268  THE STANDARDISED HOSPITAL BASED MORTALITY INDEX (SHMI) IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – 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

2269  NOTICE OF MOTION – INWARD INVESTMENT – Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

This council supports fully proposals to target new business start ups and inward investment projects to locate in North Lincolnshire.  This policy works to increase the number of jobs available to local residents and increase the prosperity for all who live in our area.

In addition, this council supports proposals to increase standards in education and vocational training opportunities for our young people, particularly through the plans from local businesses to establish a University Technology College in North Lincolnshire.  Providing skills for employment for our young people is critical to secure the future of our area.  This council also thanks local Members of Parliament for their support in writing to the Department of Education in favour of the UTC application.

Furthermore, the council also supports its policy to provide budget advice to all residents on welfare in North Lincolnshire, empowering and enabling residents to make decisions on their life and their life choices.  Most importantly, supporting residents to improve their self-esteem, regain control of their life and return them back into work and to improve the finances for them and their family.  Previous Labour Governments have sought to force a generation of North Lincolnshire families onto welfare. By providing support, employment and confidence to our residents, we can prove what a fantastic place North Lincolnshire is to both live and work.

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

“This council fully supports any proposals to target new business start ups and inward investment projects to locate in North Lincolnshire.  This council welcomes work to increase the number of jobs available to local residents and increase prosperity for all who live in our area.

In addition this council supports proposals to increase standards in education across North Lincolnshire that provide equal opportunity to all, in respect of their own personal educational aspirations.

Furthermore, the Labour Group condemns the inconsistent and restrictive advice it gives to local residents, emanating from this Tory run council, based upon their lifestyle choices.  It will only be through consistent, fair and equal advice that every member of our community will meet their full potential.”

At the request of membersand in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.22(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the amendment are as follows –

FOR:  Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Carlile, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kataria, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson

AGAINST:  Councillors Allcock, Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, Evison, T Foster, Glover, Marper, Ogg, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells

ABSTAINING:  Nil

Amendment Lost
Motion Carried

2270  NOTICE OF MOTION – LIVING WAGE – Moved by Councillor L Foster and seconded by Councillor Gosling –

“The Labour Group calls on this council to implement with immediate effect the introduction of a Living Wage for all North Lincolnshire Council employees.

Furthermore given the increasing cost of everyday living expenses, especially the price of Energy, it is essential that the council fulfils its Community Leadership role by encouraging other local employers to follow suit.”

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

“The council supports the implementation of the living wage by those employers that determine that they can afford to pay based on their own financial analysis and organisational priorities.

Council notes through the assessment of the Shadow Chancellor that the adoption of the living wage would be at substantial extra cost to the Exchequer and would likely mean higher taxes and higher mortgage rates for hard working people thereby increasing their cost of living and making them worse and not better off.

The council will continue to fulfil its essential community leadership role by adopting long term policy initiatives that will raise hardworking people’s living standards by creating more jobs, cutting wasteful spending and rejuvenating North Lincolnshire’s economies.  Continuing dialogue with local employers is a vital component of such  initiatives.

Within this the government’s decision to increase the basic state pension and the introduction of the triple lock guarantee are to be welcomed in assisting residents meet their everyday of cost of living expenses.”

At the request of membersand in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.22(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the amendment are as follows –

FOR:  Councillors Allcock, Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, Evison, T Foster, Glover, Marper, Ogg, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells

AGAINST:  Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Carlile, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kataria, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson

ABSTAINING:  Nil

Amendment Carried

At the request of membersand in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.22(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the substantive motion are as follows –

FOR:  Councillors Allcock, Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, Evison, T Foster, Glover, Marper, Ogg, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells

AGAINST:  Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Carlile, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kataria, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson

ABSTAINING:  Nil

Substantive Motion Carried