Governance and Standards Scrutiny Panel (Special Meeting) – 7 July 2017

Chairman:  Councillor Robinson

Venue:        Function Room , Civic Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe

Time:          10:30 am

AGENDA
1.       Substitutions.
2.       Declarations of Personal or Personal and Prejudicial Interest and Declarations of Whipping Arrangements (if any).
3.       Public Requests to speak (if any).
4.       Any other items which the chairman decides are urgent by reason of special circumstances which must be specified.           T
The public are likely to be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
5.       Item requested for call-in, in accordance with paragraph 22 of Part D Rule 5 (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules) of the council’s constitution. Minute 2 of the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member meeting held on 3 July 2017 – Property Transaction Schedule

MINUTES

PRESENT: –  Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors T Foster, Godfrey, Longcake and O’Sullivan.

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

11      DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests

No whip was declared.

12      PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

13      EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item (Minute 14 refers) on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

14      (3)      ITEM REQUESTED FOR CALL-IN IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 22 OF PART D RULE 5 (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULES) OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION – Minute 2 of the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member meeting held on 3 July 2017 – Property Trading Account – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited a nominee of the members who had requested the call-in to speak on the above decision and question the Cabinet Member.  Members outlined areas of concern as reasons for seeking a review of the above decision.  Namely –

  • North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would like to know why we are gifting land to a secret society such as the Masons which has no benefit to the wider community of North Lincolnshire.
  •  North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would like a full costing of this decision as well as a full explanation and justification of this transaction.
  •  North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would also like to know why the Scunthorpe Masonic Lodge has not been asked to purchase the land.

Following a discussion on the above issues, the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member was invited to respond to the concerns and reasons for the decision being called in, and be held to account for the decision taken.

The Director: Operations, and the Group Manager – Asset and Estate Management, who were also in attendance, were invited to comment.

Resolved – (a) That no further action be taken, and the above decision of the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member (minute 2 refers) be implemented with immediate effect, and (b) that a condition be inserted in to the disposal contract that the area of land that was not to be used for a car park be kept and maintained as an open green space for the local community to enjoy.

MINUTES

PRESENT: –  Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors T Foster, Godfrey, Longcake and O’Sullivan.

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

11      DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests

No whip was declared.

12      PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

13      EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item (Minute 14 refers) on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

14      (3)      ITEM REQUESTED FOR CALL-IN IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 22 OF PART D RULE 5 (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULES) OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION – Minute 2 of the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member meeting held on 3 July 2017 – Property Trading Account – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited a nominee of the members who had requested the call-in to speak on the above decision and question the Cabinet Member.  Members outlined areas of concern as reasons for seeking a review of the above decision.  Namely –

  • North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would like to know why we are gifting land to a secret society such as the Masons which has no benefit to the wider community of North Lincolnshire.
  •  North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would like a full costing of this decision as well as a full explanation and justification of this transaction.
  •  North Lincolnshire Council tax payers would also like to know why the Scunthorpe Masonic Lodge has not been asked to purchase the land.

Following a discussion on the above issues, the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member was invited to respond to the concerns and reasons for the decision being called in, and be held to account for the decision taken.

The Director: Operations, and the Group Manager – Asset and Estate Management, who were also in attendance, were invited to comment.

Resolved – (a) That no further action be taken, and the above decision of the Investment, Assets and Employment Cabinet Member (minute 2 refers) be implemented with immediate effect, and (b) that a condition be inserted in to the disposal contract that the area of land that was not to be used for a car park be kept and maintained as an open green space for the local community to enjoy.