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Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Wednesday, 31st March, 2021 6.30 pm

Venue: Online Meeting - view the meeting at www.mybostonuk.com/youtube

Contact: Lorraine Bush, Democratic Services Manager  Tel. no: 01205 314224 e-mail  lorraine.bush@boston.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

143.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 231 KB

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting held 24th February 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24th February 2021 were received and would be signed by the Chairman.

 

144.

APOLOGIES

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were apologies for absence from the Chief Executive, as he was attending the Executive meeting at East Lindsey District Council.

 

145.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

Minutes:

No declarations were made.

 

146.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday 26th March 2021.

Minutes:

Question from Mr Darron Abbott to the Leader:

 

“At the last full Council Meeting councillor Dorian asked a question of yourself regard whether it was appropriate for Councillors to attend premises during the Covid lockdown period.

 

I have privately provided you evidence of 2 Councillors that have visited constituents in early March.

 

As the councils constant message is stay home, stay safe will you publicly condemn the actions of these councillors?”

 

Response from the Leader:

 

The matter was investigated by the Monitoring Officer and the Regulatory Body no action was taken."

 

Supplementary question from Mr Abbott:

 

“I thank the leader for his answer, but I did ask him personally if he would condemn the councillors actions!

 

“Earlier this week one of these Councillors took to Social media as you are aware to tell all their constituents of the changes to Covid restrictions which proves they are aware of the rules so is the word from the council do as we say not as we do or do Councillors had Covid immunity?”

 

Response from the Leader:

 

“I would be supportive of the authorities in enforcing the law.”

 

147.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (STANDING ITEM)*

Minutes:

Recommendations from the Scrutiny Committees were contained within the reports on the agenda.

 

148.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE BOSTON TOWN AREA COMMITTEE (BTAC) (STANDING ITEM)

Minutes:

There were no recommendations from BTAC for this meeting.

 

 

[The order of agenda items was changed to enable officers to attend the Executive Board at ELDC.]

 

149.

LINCOLNSHIRE HOMES FOR INDEPENDENCE BLUEPRINT pdf icon PDF 489 KB

A report by Michelle Howard, Assistant Director – Housing and Wellbeing.

 

Portfolio Holder: Councillor Martin Griggs

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

That the Lincolnshire Homes For Independence Blueprint be endorsed and that it be agreed to support its ambitions and shape the associated work programme for the benefit of communities. 

 

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

MG/MH

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report, which presented a blueprint for Lincolnshire Homes for Independence.

 

Housing was a key determinant of health. The evidence as clear that mental health, physical health, wellbeing and life opportunities were positively impacted through access to a safe, warm, affordable and decent homes.

 

The Lincolnshire Homes for Independence Blueprint was the result of system-wide collaboration and commitment to ensure that Lincolnshire residents could access and sustain safe, affordable and suitable housing throughout their lives to meet their current and future needs. The Blueprint was a high-level statement and a call to action to partners across the Lincolnshire system.

 

The Blueprint had been developed over a long period by the partners, officers and members that collaborated to form the Lincolnshire Housing, Health & Care Delivery Group (HHCDG); a formal sub group of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board. It was significant that this was a system-wide programme of work. Its delivery and work programme would be overseen by the HHCDG but would require continued commitment and collaboration from all partners to deliver the associated work programme. 

 

The blueprint was endorsed by the Lincolnshire Health & Wellbeing Board in December 2020.  The Board noted that ‘the development of the blueprint was the first step in agreeing across local government, NHS organisations, social housing providers and communities, the standards wished to be achieved in Lincolnshire.  It had since been endorsed by Lincolnshire County Council and was in the process of being considered by all District Councils.

 

The Blueprint focused on key thematic areas that required a system response:

·         Growing the supply of appropriate housing to meet a range of specific housing needs

·         Aiming to influence the design, location and number of homes delivered

·         Secure better outcomes from existing resources

·         Enable residents in Lincolnshire to plan ahead to meet their housing needs

 

Alongside the Blueprint was a delivery plan, which set out the detail and actions to delivery of the shared vision. The delivery plan itself would not commit partners; decision on actions within the delivery plan would be subject to partners’ individual decision-making processes. In endorsing the Blueprint, Members were being asked to commit to a set of principles that could be delivered collaboratively, across the housing, health and care system.

 

The audience for the blueprint was senior managers, board members and Members who worked across the housing, health and care sectors as well as those who might be less familiar with the housing and health agenda. It was relevant to many area of the Council’s work – housing and wellbeing, planning, environment, economic growth, better ageing, Wellbeing Lincs.

 

The aim was that it could be used for project planning, providing evidence and justification in decision-making processes as well as focusing the efforts of members of the partnership on actions to secure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.

150.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND PROCEDURES pdf icon PDF 512 KB

A report by Michelle Howard, Assistant Director – Housing and Wellbeing.

 

Portfolio Holder: Councillor Martin Griggs

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

1.    The updated safeguarding policy and procedures for the strategic alliance be adopted.

 

2.    The delivery of safeguarding as a shared corporate function across the strategic alliance be noted.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

MG/MH

 

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

The Portfolio Holder presented a report, which appended an updated safeguarding policy and procedures for the Strategic Alliance to adopt. 

 

Changes had been made in order to streamline and align the policies and procedures of the two authorities for ease of use and to make the best use of resources. 

 

The key changes were summarised as:

·         To reflect that this was a Strategic Alliance policy for both councils

·         Roles and responsibilities 

·         Web links refreshed all updated

·         Updated text for reporting concerns

·         Included updated domestic abuse (Ask Ani) information

·         Updated Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking chapter and included referral flowcharts

·         Included links to the Lincolnshire Multi-Agency Hoarding protocol

·         Training plan updated and safeguarding board 6 year training pathway was reflected – extracted as a separate procedure document.

 

Members recognised the crucial importance of safeguarding and welcomed the updated policy and procedures. 

 

 

 

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

 

The Councils could choose to manage safeguarding as two separate entities. This option has not been proposed because:

 

·         Lincolnshire District Councils already strive to align safeguarding policies and procedures

·         This would not align with the ambitions and aspirations for the strategic alliance

This would not make best use of officer time, skills or experience.

 

 

 

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

 

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

 

None.

 

151.

VISITOR ECONOMY RESILIENCE pdf icon PDF 620 KB

A report by Lydia Rusling, Assistant Director – Towns Fund

 

Portfolio Holders: Councillors Richard Austin and Nigel Welton

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

1.    The establishment of Destination Lincolnshire – a business led, project focused initiative – a county Destination Management Organisation (DMO) be approved.

2.    A proportion of the Additional Restrictions Grant funding of £300,000 be allocated to support the delivery of the Visitor Economy Resilience plans.

3.    The East Lindsey Destination Strategy be developed to incorporate Boston and reflect a joint Cultural Strategy across the Alliance.

4.    Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Town Deal to establish a Service Level Agreement with Destination Lincolnshire.

 

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

RA/NW/

LR

 

 

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

CouncillorRichard Austin presented a report by the Assistant Director - Towns Fund, which outlined the delivery of a plan to support the visitor economy, incorporating support to businesses within the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.

 

The plan was a key component of the recovery plan developed by the Strategic Alliance and would deliver core elements of the Corporate Plan. It would deliver an improved visitor experience – new products to take advantage of the rise in domestic travel – as well as critical support to tourism and hospitality businesses – connecting them to national initiatives to re-open safely and bring more consumers to the District’s towns.

 

The importance of the tourism sector to the area, the opportunity for future growth through the Town Deal and the imperative to support recovery for an industry significantly impacted by the pandemic restrictions, combined to make the case for a sector focused delivery plan.

 

The plan for the visitor economy was based on working in partnership to deliver recovery, assist businesses and underpin growth. It would complement the new Economic Growth’s team amalgamation for the Alliance and was phased to reflect the Government’s roadmap.

 

Attached at Appendix A was an interim report containing the early recommendations from the Towns Fund Tourism Report.

 

Councillor Austin explained that he would be heavily involved with the establishment of a service level agreement (SLA) with Destination Lincolnshire.  Councillor Austin was keen to communicate with the Visit Lincolnshire team to acquire more details and hoped that the SLA would provide more opportunity for Boston to feature in publicity and promotion to enable people to discover, rather than simply visit, Boston.

 

CouncillorWelton described the plan as a comprehensive document that would take Boston forward into the future.  The incorporation of Boston in the East Lindsey Destination Strategy was significant, as it removed boundaries and would allow productive, collaborative partnership working across the whole area.  A huge amount of work had gone into producing the plan and it was a working document.  The Alliance would bring in more resources than ever and improve the skills available to both authorities to improve their economies.

 

Members commended the proposals as exciting and excellent. Although there was some concern regarding future funding of the Destination Management Organisation (DMO), Members were keen to support the visitor economy and businesses in the borough, and promote the area’s unique offer.

 

The Assistant Director - Towns Fund explained that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

152.

REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDER - RESTRICTING PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OVER HIGHWAY - ON HATTER LANE, BOSTON pdf icon PDF 489 KB

A report by Peter Hunn, Community Safety Manager.

 

Portfolio Holder: Councillor Paul Skinner, Leader

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

1.    That an extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) be approved covering Hatter Lane (restricting public right of way over highway) for a further three-year period commencing on 27th April 2021 and ending on 26th April 2024. 

2.    The gated area remains the same as the original order as introduced on 27th April 2015.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

PS/PH

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

The Leader presented a report by the Community Safety Manager, regarding a review of the Public Spaces Protection Order (Restricting Public Right Of Way Over Highway) on Hatter Lane, Boston.

 

The current Hatter Lane Gate-related PSPO expired on 27th April 2021, marking the end of the second 3-yearly review of the original order, which commenced on 27th April 2015.

 

The Council was one of the first in the country to make such an order when the government passed new legislation in the late autumn of 2014.

 

Since the order took effect in April 2015 and the gates were installed, no one had breached the conditions set within the legislation and that showed the order was a powerful part of the Council’s enforcement toolbox in addressing nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

 

The most powerful statistic that came out of this enforcement order was that it had decreased by 100% incidents of the nature reported to Police and the Council suffered prior to the installation of the gates.

 

This was a real success story showing that officer used the legislation made available by the Government to the best of their ability to address the issues suffered in the community and support residents when and where possible.

 

The legislation stated that any PSPO could last no longer than 3 years without review and the time had now come for the Council’s next review.

 

Lincolnshire Police had been fully consulted throughout the whole process and shared the Council’s view that the current order should remain in place and that this order was a valuable tool for the Police and Council to address concerns of nuisance within the borough’s precious public spaces.

 

The recommendation made within the report was that the PSPO in connection to Hatter Lane, Boston be extended for another three years, commencing form the 28th April 2021, when the current order expired and that the conditions set out within the order remain the same as in the original order.  

 

Members commended the success of the order and welcomed its extension.

 

 

 

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

 

To discharge the PSPO covering Hatter Lane.

This is not recommended; the PSPO has been successful in addressing the issues detailed above.  It is highly likely that the issues would reoccur if the order were discharged.

 

 

 

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

 

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

 

None.

 

153.

QUARTER 3 REPORT - PERFORMANCE, RISK AND FINANCE pdf icon PDF 449 KB

A report by Suzanne Rolfe, Transformation Manager, and Tim Sampson, Finance Manager.

 

Portfolio Holders: Councillors Paul Skinner, Leader, and Jonathan Noble.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

1.            That the quarterly monitoring information for Quarter 3 be noted.

2.         That the specific finance recommendations, summarised below, be agreed:

 

-          F1: to approve the reserve movements detailed table 6

-          F2: to approve the updated capital programme as detailed in table 8

-          F3: to write-off the irrecoverable Housing Benefit Over-Payments in the sum of £11,689

-          F4: that the supplementary estimates in respect of the Green Homes Grant and the Homes England Funding be approved, as set out in table 12

-          F5: that the supplementary estimates in respect of COVID-19 be approved, as set out in table 13

 

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

PS/JN/

SR/AS

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

Cabinet considered the quarterly monitoring information report, which presented performance, risk and finance information for Quarter 3 of 2020/21 (April to December 2020). 

 

Overall, performance in Quarter 3 of 2020/21 was in line with targets though heavily impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, as anticipated.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the key headlines of the finance monitoring information, reporting that the Council was in a stable financial position, with a balanced budget for 2021/22.

 

However, the Council faced greater challenges the following year, 2022/23, requiring continued financial prudence.  Trading income had fallen substantially in the last year due to lockdown restrictions, particularly from parking, planning and leisure.  Financial support had been received from Government by way of grants, most recently the Green Homes grant and a grant towards lost fees and charges.

 

There had been some reserve movements during the last year due to the challenges faced during the pandemic, but they remained in a quite healthy position, and the property funds had performed quite well in the circumstances. The capital programme had been updated due to deferred spending for which an extension had been allowed.

 

In conclusion, the Portfolio Holder said that the Council’s financial position remained healthy, but continued prudence was essential, as the level of future government support was not known.

 

Members were referred to the specific finance recommendations requiring approval, which were set out in Appendix C, relating to reserve movements; the updated capital programme; the write-off the irrecoverable Housing Benefit Over-Payments; supplementary estimates in respect of the Green Homes Grant and the Homes England Funding; and supplementary estimates in respect of COVID-19.

 

The two high strategic risks in Q3 remained Housing and Budget. There had been no change to the strategic risk scores in Q3. 

 

 

 

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

 

Alternative reporting arrangements.

 

 

 

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

 

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

 

None.

 

154.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE COVID19 RECOVERY PLAN 2021-2023 pdf icon PDF 386 KB

A report presented by Tim Leader, Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

DECISION

 

That the Recovery Plan set out at Appendix A be approved and its implementation be authorised.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

 

PS/NW/

TL

 

 

REASON FOR DECISION

 

The Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy) introduced a report, which presented a Recovery Plan prepared in conjunction with Assistant Directors.

 

The purpose of the Recovery Plan was to set out a range of practical measures calculated to help the people and businesses of Boston and East Lindsey to bounce back from the harm caused to their economies and civil society by the “lockdowns” imposed on local businesses and communities to contain Covid19.

 

The Recovery Plan was focused on delivering activities and tangible things useful to local people and businesses.  Progress would be measured and reported to Cabinet and the Executive Board of East Lindsey District Council every 6 months. This would help them understand what was working and what was not, solve problems, identify the potential to implement additional or improved initiatives and ensure resources provided to the authorities by Government were spent to good effect on activities that produced the greatest benefit. It was anticipated the first review would be reported to the Cabinet and Executive Board in September 2021.

 

It was recognised that many had suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.  A range of projects were being undertaken in order to help local people and businesses to recover from the effects of the pandemic that would also provide opportunities for the future. The Visitor Economy Resilience plan was an example. 

 

The main aims of the plan were to boost employment opportunities, particularly for young people; tackle financial inequalities; improve financial wellbeing; carry out environmental improvements and assist businesses.  Assistant Directors had been asked to identify and scope a number of projects and identify the budget to utilise Government funding in order to progress them quickly.  The projects specified so far needed further work.  In the meantime, Members were asked to agree the principles of the plan and Portfolio Holders were asked to assume responsibility, alongside the Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy), to ensure that the projects set out in the appendices were developed to an acceptable standard in the next four weeks.  

 

The Portfolio Holders welcomed the Recovery Plan and stressed the importance of proceeding without delay, accepting the request for assistance.

 

During debate, the issue of fly tipping was raised, which was a high priority for local people, and reference was made to proposed actions to tackle this. 

 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance reiterated the Council’s financial constraints and underlined the dependence of many of the projects on future government funding.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy) agreed, but pointed out that projects might have initial costs, but could also provide income streams.  In addition, increased confidence in the area and its raised profile, resulting from the success of Boston’s Towns Fund bid, would help produce further funding in order to the most of available opportunities and assist with bringing schemes to fruition.  The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) strongly supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.