Full Council – 8 July 2009
Present –
THE MAYOR – Councillor Armitage
Councillors Ali, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Berry, B Briggs, Mrs Bromby, J Briggs, Bunyan, Carlile, Cawsey, Clark, Collinson, Davison, Eckhardt, Ellerby, England, L Foster, T Foster, Glover, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Regan, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Mrs Simpson, Smith, Stewart, Swift, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle, Wells, Whiteley and Wilson.
The Council met at Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.
1731 MAYOR’S REMARKS – The Mayor welcomed fellow councillors, officers and members of the public to her first full council meeting since the annual meeting of the council in May.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Mark Kirk for saying prayers and then welcomed Councillor Paul Vickers to his first meeting of the council following his election as ward councillor for Barton. The Mayor then introduced Leah Boote. Leah is a member of X-Press, the council’s Youth Forum. She had also become the council’s youth member of parliament. Leah then said a few words about her role following which Councillor Tony Gosling, cabinet member for children services thanked Leah for attending the meeting and giving members an insight into her role.
1732 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows –
| Member | Subject/Minute |
| Councillor M Ali Councillor S BainbridgeCouncillor T BarkerCouncillor J Briggs Councillor A Bunyan Councillor P Carlile Councillor P Clark Councillor J Collinson
Councillor A Ellerby Councillor L Foster
Councillor T Foster Councillor T Gosling Councillor I Jawaid Councillor M Kirk Councillor C Sherwood Councillor A Smith Councillor S Swift Councillor R Waltham Councillor D Whiteley Councillor S Wilson |
Licensed Hackney Carriage Driver Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade UnionNotice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade UnionNotice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Humberside Fire Authority – Member Humberside Police Authority – Member Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of GMB Trade Union North Lincolnshire Homes – Member Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of Community & UNITE Trade Unions Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of family employed by Corus Member of UNITE Trade Union North Lincolnshire Homes – Member Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Notice of Motion – Corus – Employed by Corus and member of UNITE Trade Union Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Humberside Police Authority – Member Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of Community and UNITE Trade Unions Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of Community Trade Union North Lincolnshire Homes – Member Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union Notice of Motion – Corus – Member of UNITE Trade Union |
1733 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on 25 March the extraordinary meeting held on 2 April and the annual meeting held on 13 May 2009, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor, subject to the addition of Councillor Wilson in the list of members of the Audit Committee set out in minute 1726.
1734 ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR – The Service Director Legal and Democratic submitted a report on the election of a councillor following an election in the Barton Ward. As a result of the by-election Councillor Paul Vickers had been elected to the council to represent that ward. The political balance of the council was not affected.
Resolved –That the report be noted.
1735 (3) TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY – ANNUAL REPORT – 2008/2009 – The Service Director Finance submitted a report on the performance of the council’s treasury management function in 2008/2009. Performance was measured against the treasury management and investment strategy set by council at its meeting held on 20 February 2008.
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.
- The Prudential Code
- The Local Government Finance Act 2003
- Guidance on local government investments from the former office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
The Code of Practice required a report to council outlining the proposed activities of the treasury management function at the start of the financial year. A report was made on aspects of performance against that strategy where necessary in the course of the year to cabinet, in particular any impact on budgets or performance indicators. At the end of the financial year a report was submitted to council. The 2008/2009 strategy, which was outlined in the report with supporting appendices, covered –
- General economic prospects, including prospects for interest rates.
- The investment strategy
- The borrowing strategy
- And sets prudential indicators for external debt and treasury management.
Also, in accordance with the above revised CIPFA Treasury Management Code to be published in the autumn of 2009, the Audit Committee would have oversight of treasury management functions receiving regular reports. Suggested amendments to the committee’s terms of reference would in due course be approved by council.
The Service Director in his report detailed how the strategy was implemented during the 2008/2009 year, how unstable financial markets affected the council, what action was taken to address the challenges and the results of that action.
The key results were that the council had –
- Exceeded its original target rate of interest by 0.42%.
- Exceeded its original target for return and investment of £2.25m.
- Kept the cost of borrowing below 6% of revenue stream, and
- Taken steps to recover investments with Icelandic banks in concert with other local authorities through the Local Government Association
The report also reviewed new guidance on treasury management from the audit commission and CIPFA and made recommendations how these could be addressed within the 2009/2010 strategy. The Service Director Finance had suggested that the Audit Committee should consider the assurance provided by the treasury management and investment strategy annual report 2008/2009 on the adequacy of arrangements and improvements made in the light of recent advice received.
Resolved – (a) That the report on treasury management 2008/2009 be received; (b) that the proposals detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report to improve the current arrangements be approved and adopted, (c) that further proposals be submitted when the new CIPFA Code and government guidance is published.
1736 (4) REVIEW OF PLAY, PLAYGROUNDS AND OPEN SPACES IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The council considered a report of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel into a review of play, playgrounds and open spaces in North Lincolnshire. The report set out the selection and scope of the review, the details of the work carried out and contained twelve detailed recommendations following completion of the review.
Resolved – That the recommendations contained in the report be received and referred to cabinet for consideration.
1737 (5) REVISIT OF THE ‘EVERY CHILD MATTERS – THE COMMON ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (CAF) – A report was submitted by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel into a revisit of the ‘Every Child Matters – The Common Assessment Framework (CAF)’. The panel had revisited this issue following concerns over the use and effectiveness of the Common Assessment Framework. The report contained details of the review and concluded with eight detailed recommendations.
Resolved – That the recommendations contained in the report be received and referred to cabinet for consideration.
1738 (6) ALCOHOL MISUSE AND HEALTH – The council considered a report of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel into Alcohol Misuse and Health. The report set out the selection and scope of the review, details of the work carried out and concluded with fourteen detailed recommendations.
Resolved – That the recommendations contained in the report be received and referred to cabinet for consideration.
1739 (7) NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION TEAMS IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – A report was submitted by the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel into a review of Neighbourhood Action Teams in North Lincolnshire. The report set out the selection and scope of the review, details of the work carried out and concluded with twenty four detailed recommendations.
Resolved – That therecommendations contained in the report be received and referred to cabinet for consideration.
1740 FORWARD PLAN FOR THE COUNCIL – Councillor Mark Kirk, the Leader of the Council introduced his forward plan for the period July to October 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) Decriminalisation of on-street parking enforcement (ii) Decriminalisation of on-street parking enforcement
(iii) House Condition Survey
(iv) Decriminalisation of on-street parking enforcement
|
Councillor N Sherwood
Councillor D Barkworth
Councillor K Vickers Councillor M Ali
Councillor D Stewart
Councillor J Briggs |
Leader of the Council – Indicated that the council was working to ensure that the transfer of enforcement powers from the police to the council was done properly and that a good quality service was put in place for the future.
Leader of the Council – Lead Member for Transport – Referred to the response set out in (i) above and gave more details about the process for taking this matter forward. Much work was being carried out in relation to it. Leader of the Council – Cabinet Member for Housing and Strategic Planning – Updated the member on the situation with regard to the Stock Condition Survey. Leader of the Council – Referred to the previous questions and answers in relation to this matter and emphasised again the need to get this right and to ensure that a good quality service was provided by the council. Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Strategic Planning – Referred to the fact that the council’s housing stock had been transferred to North Lincolnshire Homes some two years ago, but that there was a need to work with North Lincolnshire Homes and other partners to ensure that sufficient affordable housing was available for everyone. Leader of the Council – Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning – Commented on the fact that the council had been accepted into the local authority carbon management programme and that much work was now being carried out in relation to this matter. Indeed, significant work had been carried out over the years in relation to the environment and this would continue to be a significant priority for the council. Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning – Thanked the member for his advice in relation to energy saving at Epworth Swimming Pool. Commented on the technical details of this matter which he was aware of. Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Strategic Planning – Referred to the previous question and answer on this matter and indicated that a final report and ultimately an action plan would be prepared which will provide detailed answers. Leader of the Council and Cabinet for Highways and Planning – Referred to previous answers to questions in relation to this matter and emphasised that this was not a money making scheme but an effort to ensure responsibility for on-street parking was carried out properly. |
1741 PLANNING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 1 and 29 April and 27 May 2009 be received, approved and adopted.
1742 LICENSING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Committee held on 26 March, 27 April, 6, 19 and 28 May 2009 be received, approved and adopted.
1743 STANDARDS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 2 April 2009 be received.
1744 AUDIT COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 20 April 2009 be received.
1745 SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITY SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Safer and Stronger Community Scrutiny Panel held on 14 April and 28 May 2009 be received.
1746 HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND OLDER PEOPLE SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel held on 2 and 30 March, 27 and 29 April, 19 May and 16 June 2009 be received.
1747 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 22 April, 18 May and 15 June 2009 be received.
1748 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 26 May 2009 be received.
1749 SCRUTINY CO-ORDINATING PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Panel held on 7 April 2009 be received.
1750 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SHAPING THE COUNCIL –
Moved by Councillor Kirk and seconded by Councillor Swift –
“That the minutes of the meeting of the Special Committee on Shaping the Council held on 9 June 2009 be received”.
Councillor Mrs Redfern rose on a point of order as regards the accuracy of the minutes.
Motion Carried
1751 NOTICE OF MOTION – 20 MPH ZONES –
Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern.
“The council welcomes the government’s increased support for 20 mph zones outside schools and commits to consulting parents and teachers and wherever there is support, implementing zones around primary, junior and infant schools across the district within a two year period.”
1752 TIME OF MEETING – PROCEDURE RULE D1.07 – GUILLOTINE –
The time having reached 9.00 pm the Mayor informed the meeting that in accordance with Procedure Rule D1.07, the remaining business of the council would be put to the meeting for decision without speech or debate.
The motion set out in minute 1751 was then seconded by Councillor J Briggs.
At the request of members and in accordance withProcedure Rule 1.23(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the motion are as follows –
FOR: Councillors Berry, B Briggs, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, T Foster, Glover, Poole, Mrs Redfern, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Stewart, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells.
AGAINST: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Carlile, Cawsey, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, Mrs Simpson, Smith, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson.
ABSTAINING: Nil
Motion Carried
1753 NOTICE OF MOTION – CORUS –
Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor Kirk –
“This council commits to working with senior officials at Corus, as well as trade union officials, in a bid to minimise the number of job losses at the Scunthorpe steelworks. North Lincolnshire Council recognises the importance of steel making in the region and makes a promise to engage in positive talks with Corus and the government to safeguard local jobs.”
At the request of members and in accordance withProcedure Rule 1.23(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the motion are as follows –
FOR: Councillors Ali, 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, Jawaid, Kirk, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Regan, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Simpson, Smith, Stewart, Swift, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle, Wells, Whiteley and Wilson.
AGAINST: Nil
ABSTAINING: Nil
Motion Carried Unanimously
1754 NOTICE OF MOTION – MEMBERS ALLOWANCES –
Moved by Councillor Stewart and seconded by Councillor Poole –
“Following the recent and ongoing issues around MPs expenses and the likely impact on local authorities, this council reconsiders the report of the Elected Members Independent Remuneration Panel which was discussed by council in March 2009, with a view to amending it by approving the original recommendations of the panel in relation to subsistence and travel arrangements.”
At the request of members and in accordance withProcedure Rule 1.23(d) the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the motion are as follows –
FOR: Councillors B Briggs, Poole and Stewart.
AGAINST: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Barkworth, Carlile, Cawsey, Collinson, Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, Regan, Mrs Simpson, Smith, Swift, Whiteley and Wilson.
ABSTAINING: Councillors Berry, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Clark, Eckhardt, England, T Foster, Glover, Mrs Redfern, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle and Wells.
Motion Lost