Full Council – 19 November 2008

Present

THE MAYOR – Councillor Jawaid

Councillors Ali, Appleyard, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Berry, B Briggs, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Carlile, Cawsey, Clark, Collinson, Davison, Eckhardt, Ellerby, England, L Foster, T Foster, Glover, Gosling, Grant, Kirk, O’Sullivan, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Regan, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Mrs Simpson, Smith, Stewart, Swift, Vickers, Waltham, Wardle, Wells, Whiteley and Wilson.

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

1647 MAYOR’S REMARKS – The Mayor welcomed fellow councillors, officers and members of the public to the meeting.

The Mayor then referred to the Great Youth Debate held in October. He indicated that he had been delighted to see so many young people take an interest in local government. The young people had asked many interesting questions and the debate was very lively. He hoped that this event would inspire the next generation of councillors and mayors. He also reported that North East Lincolnshire Council had appointed a Youth Mayor. This was in addition to the existing Mayor. Amy Blackett is 13 years old and she will take up her post this week for a trial period of six weeks. Perhaps this was something that North Lincolnshire Council could think about.

The Mayor also commented that Brigg Farmers Market had been voted the best rural farmers market in Britain for 2009. This was a very high accolade and the traders should be very proud of their achievement. It was sure to boost tourism even further. He then referred to two events that had made him feel immensely proud. The first was the Humberside Police Lifestyle Award Presentation. The winner was a team of three Scunthorpe schoolgirls, Chloe Taylor and Bethany Ladlow from St Bede’s School and Holly Fincham from Brumby School. They called themselves “The Scunny Bunnies” and the prize for all their hard work was a trip to Florida. The second event was a kickboxing show. The Mayor had the pleasure of presenting the winners cup to Michael Dixon from Scunthorpe. The Mayor congratulated all of them.

Finally the Mayor reported that since the last meeting of the council he had attended 56 engagements. These included meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams who had been in North Lincolnshire to open the St Lawrence Academy on Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe. Last week, the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, John Lockwood had visited Pittwood House and the Mayor had then accompanied him to the South Humber Racial Equality Council Office. He had presented them with a grant from the Tribune Trust.

The Mayor then reminded all members that this was the last full council meeting before Christmas and he therefore wished everyone a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

1648 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows –

Member
Subject/Minute
Councillor M Ali Licensed Hackney Carriage Driver
Motion – Pensions
Councillor S Armitage Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor S Bainbridge Motion – Pensions
Councillor T Barker Motion – Pensions
Councillor D Barkworth Motion – Pensions
Councillor B Briggs Motion – Pensions
Councillor J Briggs North Lincolnshire Homes – Board Member
Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor A Bunyan Motion – Pensions
Councillor P Carlile Motion – Pensions
Councillor L Cawsey North Lincolnshire Homes – Board Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor P Clark North Lincolnshire Homes – Board Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor J Collinson Motion – Pensions
Councillor A Davison Motion – Pensions
Councillor W Eckhardt Motion – Pensions
Councillor T Ellerby Motion – Pensions
Councillor J England Motion – Pensions
Councillor L Foster North Lincolnshire Homes – Board Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor T Foster Motion – Pensions
Councillor I Glover Motion – Pensions
Councillor T Gosling Motion – Pensions
Councillor M Grant Motion – Pensions
Councillor I Jawaid Humberside Police Authority – Member
Councillor M Kirk Yorkshire Forward – Board Member
Motion – Pensions
Councillor C O’Sullivan Motion – Pensions
Councillor N Poole Motion – Pensions
Councillor Mrs E Redfern Motion – Pensions
Councillor C Sherwood Motion – Pensions
Councillor N Sherwood Motion – Pensions
Councillor M Simpson Motion – Pensions
Councillor A Smith Motion – Pensions
Councillor S Swift Motion – Pensions
Councillor D Wells Motion – Pensions
Councillor S Wilson Motion – Pensions

1649 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the ordinary meeting and the extraordinary meetings of the council held on 24 September 2008 having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor.

1650 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT – The Chief Executive reported on the place shaping survey currently being circulated and to this year’s points of view survey of all staff within the council.

1651 FORWARD PLAN FOR THE COUNCIL – Councillor Mark Kirk, Leader of the Council introduced his Forward Plan for the period November 2008 – February 2009, as required by the Local Government Act 2000 and the council’s Constitution. He then invited and answered questions on the plan’s contents.

Subject
Subject raised by
Response by
(i) Budget Review December 2008 Councillor D Stewart Leader of the Council – Thanked Councillor Stewart for supporting the council’s investment strategy and indicated that discussions were still ongoing nationally about investments in Icelandic Banks and the £5.5m which could still be retrieved.
(ii) Kerbside Recovery of Recyclable Materials Scheme Councillor T Ellerby Leader of the Council – Deputy Leader of the Council referred to the introduction of the recycling scheme in schools for which figures would soon be available. Also referred to the consultation on recycling in those areas of Scunthorpe where this had not yet been rolled out and indicated that an action plan would be considered by the Deputy Leader in mid December.
(iii) New Entertainment Venue, Doncaster Road Councillor J England Leader of the Council – Indicated that a planning application was being prepared for submission which would include all those elements referred to by Councillor England. He also referred to ongoing discussions with the Town Team.
(iv) Budget Review December 2008 Councillor B Briggs Leader of the Council – Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Cultural Services – Referred to the free national swimming scheme for under 16’s and over 60’s and indicated that Epworth Swimming Pool would be included in the scheme.
(v) Entitlement to early learning and care for three and four year olds. Councillor Mrs M Sidell Leader of the Council – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Thanked the member for raising this issue and indicated that he would take it up with appropriate officers.
(vi) New Entertainment Venue, Doncaster Road Councillor T Foster Leader of the Council – Referred to the equally expert advice received by the council about the design and planning for the centre.
(vii) New Entertainment Venue, Doncaster Road Councillor N Poole Leader of the Council – Referred to the ongoing work in relation to the venue and reassured the council that local trades people would be involved. Also indicated that a report would be submitted to cabinet on 10 December which would look at all options in relation to the management vehicle for the venue.
(viii) New Entertainment Venue, Doncaster Road Councillor L Foster Leader of the Council – Thanked the Deputy Leader for his comments and referred to the ongoing professional work in relation to the new venue.
(ix) Kerbside Recovery of Recyclable Materials Scheme Councillor A Bunyan Leader of the Council – Deputy Leader of the Council – Indicated that the council was delivering on its commitment to provide plastics and cardboard recycling facilities.

1652 PLANNING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 8 October 2008 be received with the exception of minute 1082(ii).

1653 APPLICATION 1082(ii) – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Collinson and seconded by Councillor Whiteley –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

1654 AUDIT COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 30 September 2008 be received.

1655 STANDARDS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 25 September 2008 be received.

1656 APPEALS COMMITTEE – Resolved -That the minutes of the meetings of the Appeals Committee held on 29 September and 22 October 2008 be received.

1657 SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel held on 15 September and 13 October 2008 be received.

1658 HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND OLDER PEOPLE SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel held on 29 September and 27 October 2008 be received.

1659 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE ISSUES SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Panel held on 3 November 2008 be received with the exception of minute 79.

1660 BUDGET REVIEW OCTOBER 2008 – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Smith and seconded by Councillor Wardle –

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

1661 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel held on 22 September 2008 be received.

1662 SCRUTINY CO-ORDINATING PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Panel held on 30 September 2008 be received.

1663 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (INCLUDING TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS) – The Leader 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 Ford

“1,200 houses planned and given permission on Gallagher Park Flood Area.

“What is an acceptable level/risk of flooding as reported in the local press? One inch, two inch, six inch, nine inch or perhaps a foot or two?

“Have any of the Planning Committee ever been flooded, and considered the effect on people’s lives and cost, before granting permission? Or is planning permission granted for payment of road schemes (Berkeley Circle) or new schools?”

The Leader responded to that question as follows –

  • The application was considered at the Planning Committee on 5 November taking into account all comments received.
  • The committee had to consider the application and all relevant planning policies national, regional and local before making any decision.
  • There is always a balanced judgement to be taken on matters of this scale – there are likely to be contradictory views expressed.
  • The appropriate flood risk sequential test was applied under government Planning Policy Guidance Note 25.
  • Sequentially there is nowhere else within the urban area where 1200 dwellings can be accommodated on land at less risk.
  • The Environment Agency were consulted and were supportive of the application and the Council’s approach.
  • Overall the view was taken by committee that the application should be supported subject to planning conditions and a legal agreement about off site works at Berkeley Circle and Education and Affordable Housing Costs.
  • The council takes its role as planning authority seriously and realises that flood risk is an increasingly important consideration and does have a big impact onpeople’s lives.
  • Flooding is an important issue but so is the economic prosperity and future development of North Lincolnshire. People need homes to live in and they should be provided within or adjacent to the urban area of Scunthorpe if at all possible.

Question – Mr D Davey

“As a full time carer I have become increasingly aware and concerned by the level of restrictions imposed on respite care workers of the profoundly disabled by the council’s lifting and handling policy. It would appear that this policy, with its unlawful blanket ban on all lifting and some handling situations, could be preventing care staff from fully meeting the unique personal care needs of some service users with profound and multiple needs. In certain situations this policy could prove to be both discriminatory and conflicting with the basic human rights of such service users. I therefore ask the Leader of the council if he would be willing to call a full review of this policy with a multidisciplinary input from all interested parties to ensure that service users rights and needs are correctly met and that care plans are written around needs and not policies.”

The Leader responded to that question as follows –

  • Over recent years awareness has been raised of the dangers that are open to service users and staff if they lift people incorrectly and this has been recognised in guidance and legislation.
  • When moving a disabled person it is easy to injure them or yourself if you don’t use the right technique or equipment. All staff who have to handle disabled people are trained in the correct techniques and/or supplied with the relevantequipment.
  • The council has a duty towards service users and to its staff. It has to ensure their safety and to respect service users’ dignity when they have to be lifted or moved. Therefore it has carefully developed a multidisciplinary policy with the Primary Care Trust covering council and NHS service users. It balances the needs and safety of the disabled person and staff’s safety while complying with the guidelines and legislation.
  • The policy is not an unlawful blanket ban and is aimed at meeting the personal and unique needs of service users with disabilities. Risk assessments are carried out to cover all situations. Staff balance risk when planning out care plans in order to help disabled people lead as normal a life as possible so that they can enjoy their human rights.

Question – Mr B Booker

“In 2001/2002, the government required all councils to draw up an age strategy for their council area of responsibility. The reason for this is indeed obvious as over the coming years Britain will see a growth in its older communities unlike it has ever faced before. It will affect different areas in different ways, as an example the city of Manchester will see a growth in its older community below the national average, whereas in North Lincolnshire the growth rate in its older community over the 2001 census figure will see an increase of 72% and therefore the demands of the infrastructure health, council services etc will be far higher.

“Age strategy therefore requires at its head, the council and the local PCT, below this there is a requirement for a structure representing the following elements – housing, benefits, transport, older community representation, keep warm keep well, freshstart and independent living.

“Now whilst North Lincolnshire has indeed introduced many key elements, each of them sadly working independently this does not mean that they are doing a good job because they are, however, to prepare an age strategy for North Lincolnshire. I have to ask when will a meeting take place between all the elements, council, health services, the essential structure groupings for the purpose of preparing a strategy and the part the structural elements play in this process?”

The Leader responded to that question as follows –

  • This council has always given high priority to older people. We have stated our commitment to help and improve their lives in our policy documents and the community strategy.
  • We recently jointly published with the Primary Care Trust a Strategic Assessment of the needs of older people in North Lincolnshire. It sets out the demographics of ageing and points out that the older population in North Lincolnshire is growing faster than the average rate. It also showed that the lifespan here has increased to 76 years for men and to 81 years for women.
  • We see the increasing life span of citizens as an achievement to be welcomed and our aims are to help older people to live out an active and dignified life.
  • Both the council and the Local Strategic Partnership have a commitment to diversity which means age diversity as well as gender, ethnicity, sexuality and religion and belief as considered as part of everyday business across all the priorities.
  • The council has a single diversity plan which runs from 2007-2011. A key part of the overall plan is a dedicated age strategy. This was developed with the involvement of local agencies and services from across the council and includes actions that the council intends to enhance age diversity. The council received national acclaim as being at the forefront of developing provisions for age.
  • The council also has a comprehensive diversity impact assessment process in place which ensures that diversity and equality is considered as part of its decision making processes.
  • We also have a number of strategies specifically for older people (e.g. Active Ageing, Older People’s Housing Strategy) and have promoted a number of initiatives (e.g. Freshstart, Keep Warm Keep Well) and are currently working with our partners in the Local Strategic Partnership to produce a Well-being and Health Improvement Strategy for the population as a whole – that strategy will have a distinct focus on older people as well as other groups in North Lincolnshire.
  • The council has also promoted senior forums to give a greater voice to older people. We want to see more people involved in shaping the future of North Lincolnshire and we want to see more meetings taking place across the council and welcome the views of Mr Booker and others in helping us take this forward.

1664 NOTICE OF MOTION – PENSIONS

Moved by Councillor Kirk and seconded by Councillor Davison –

“This council distances itself from comments by MP Eric Pickles who suggested the Tories would put an end to the local government pension scheme. This council recognises the importance of such a scheme to attract quality staff to work for the local authority. It also welcomes the invaluable efforts of North Lincolnshire Council’s staff and gives a firm commitment to reward those people who work to make the lives of the local people better. This council rejects the notion of setting policy on the hoof and instead looks to work with staff and trade unions to ensure taxpayers continue to get the best value for their money.”

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

“This council recognises that prior to Gordon Brown becoming Chancellor, the United Kingdom had more pension provision than all of the rest of Europe combined and that this was decimated by Brown’s £5bn per year raids on the pension funds, which now leave people who have worked and saved hard, facing pensioner poverty.

“Further, the council recognises that Eric Pickles was merely highlighting the fact that pension experts are now stating that a two tier pension system is developing and that this is unsustainable.

“At a time when it is becoming apparent that the level of the hidden national debt is nearing the £2.5trn that was the cost to the entire planet of the second world war, this council recognises that once again, it should have better things to do than debate comments by national politicians over which we have no control and which the debate will have no bearing upon.

“The council apologises to the people of North Lincolnshire for the endless list of meaningless motions about silly reports, third party comments, the events of the 1970s and national issues over which local councillors have no control. The council gives assurance that from this point forward it will focus upon helping people through the difficulty times ahead and debating ways in which it can actually help local people.”

At the request of members and in accordance with procedure rule 23(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the amendment are as follows –

FOR: Councillors Appleyard, Berry, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, T Foster, Glover, Mrs Redfern, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells.

AGAINST: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Carlile, Cawsey, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, O’Sullivan, Regan, Simpson, Smith, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson.

ABSTAINING: Councillors B Briggs and Poole

Amendment Lost

Motion Carried

1665 NOTICE OF MOTION – GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS

Moved by Councillor Mrs Sidell and seconded by Councillor J Briggs –

“This council feeds its Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment findings into the relevant regional organisations, to allow those organisations to fulfil their duty, to receive such documents from all councils within the area, to facilitate the strategic allocation of pitch requirements throughout the region. This will allow the intended removal of the existing imbalances in the dispersal of gypsy and traveller families, between councils which currently make little or no authorised pitch provision and areas such as North Lincolnshire, allowing them genuine freedom of choice and ensuring that all councils fulfil their obligations.

“Until such time as relevant regional organisations are in receipt of and have had chance to assess the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment documents from all member councils, no decisions be taken regarding site allocation in North Lincolnshire.”

Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor Armitage as an amendment –

“This council welcomes the u-turn by the Conservative Group who, as referenced in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, switched policy from “we don’t want these people here” to offering to consult with gypsies and travellers about the issue of permanent sites in the region. North Lincolnshire Council also thanks residents for their comments as part of the consultation process and looks forward to consulting with local people as part of the second phase of the scheme in early 2009. Furthermore, this council welcomes the plans of the people of Brigg who, working alongside the local member of parliament, propose to create an area for a village green.”

Amendment Carried

At the request of members and in accordance with procedure rule 23(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the substantive motion are as follows –

FOR: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Carlile, Cawsey, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, O’Sullivan, Regan, Simpson, Smith, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson.

AGAINST: Councillors Appleyard, Berry, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, T Foster, Glover, Mrs Redfern, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells.

ABSTAINING: Councillors B Briggs and Poole

Substantive Motion Carried