Agenda and draft minutes
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
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To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting, held on 21st October 2020. Minutes: The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 21 October 2020 were received and signed by the Chairman.
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APOLOGIES To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: None. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda. Minutes: Councillor Martin Griggs declared an interest in the PE21 Update Report on the grounds of his employment with Boston College. However, this would have no bearing on his consideration and decision on the matter.
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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 Monday 2nd November 2020. Minutes: A question had been received from Mr Darron Abbott
Mr Abbott’s question was as follows:
“I am sure that you keep yourself up to date in what is happening within the Borough of Boston so I therefore assume that you are aware that the crime figures in the Boston Rural west in the year ended August 2020 increased by 48%. There was the debacle of the police not wanting to enforce the councils injunction regarding the travelers enchampment on woodville park. I also understand you personally were assaulted three times in August and was unhappy with the police response.
“From what I have been told at times there are as few as one officer covering Boston, with other officers having to travel from Sleaford and Skegness if a crime is committed. As Leader of the Council do you feel that Lincolnshire Police are adequately enforcing the law within the Borough of Boston? “
Answer supplied by the Leader:
“Thank you Mr Abbott for your question, I like you always am disappointed when things aren’t to level of service we expect.
“The level of Policing is set by the Chief Constable. It is the Police that have to risk assess any ongoing situation, they have a duty of care to the public but also their own staff.
“When things do not go right then there are ways to register it, 101 and 999 register the incidents. Complaint’s to Professional Standards is another route.
“With regard to the increase in Crime I’m always disappointed when this spikes.”
Mr Abbott submitted a supplementary question, as follows:
“I thank the leader for his reply and I acknowledge his disappointment at organisations fail to meet their own expectations not just those of their customers.
“You say dial 999 or 101 I attach a screen shot of the time taken to answer one 999 call that shows a response time of 28 minutes 28 Seconds and I believe your personal experience was very similar and you were just as dissatisfied, but at least it shows that even the Leader of a Local Council is treated with the same contempt as a lowly member of the public.
“I believe the Council also has an obligation to protect the residents it serves but you seem very reluctant to make a representation to Lincolnshire Police regarding the poor service the residents of Boston are receiving.
“I therefore respectfully ask if you will take the relevant actions by calling to account the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Comissioner and if this fails write to the Home Secretary requesting that the Home office take over the running of Lincolnshire Police as they can no longer effectively Police the County.”
Answer supplied by the Leader:
“Thank you, Mr Abbott, for your question.
“The spending review that now has been suspended due to the COVID pandemic was to level up things up for both the councils and police forces alike. The police numbers have been given a boost by the Government, ... view the full minutes text for item 108. |
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REFERRAL FROM FULL COUNCIL - CALL IN: PE21 THE NEXT STEPS A referral from the Full Council meeting of 26th October 2020. Additional documents:
Minutes:
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