Agenda and minutes

Full Council - Monday, 21st November, 2022 6.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Municipal Building, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR

Contact: Lorraine Bush, Democratic Services Manager  Telephone 01205 314224 e-mail  lorraine.bush@boston.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

44.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2022 were taken as read and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

 

45.

APOLOGIES

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tracey Abbott, Alan Bell, David Brown and Martin Howard.

 

46.

COMMUNICATIONS

Minutes:

The Chief Executiveannounced that under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Chelcei Trafford had ceased to be qualified as a Member of the Council and a subsequent resignation had also been received.  The office was declared vacant and would be filled at the elections for the Borough Council on 4 May 2023.

 

The Chief Executive reported the receipt of a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Souvenir Baton given in recognition of the part the Borough played in the Queen’s Baton Relay.  The Baton would be added to the Council’s regalia collection.

 

47.

DEPUTATIONS AND PETITIONS

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reported there were no deputations or petitions.

 

48.

QUESTIONS FROM ELECTED MEMBERS

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reported there were two questions from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe, a question from Councillor Judith Skinner, two questions from Councillor Anton Dani and a question from Councillor Brian Rush.

 

The questions from Councillor Dani were directed to Councillor Tracey Abbott who was not present at the meeting, therefore the questions were not asked.

 

 

Question asked by Councillor Stephen Woodliffe pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

Given your involvement in the scenario surrounding the provision of Christmas Lights for Boston, when are Members, and Scrutiny Committee Members in particular, going to have sight of all the documents associated with the procurement process for the provision of Christmas Lights in Boston?

 

Response by Councillor Nigel Welton

 

I understand the Monitoring Officer is currently considering this matter and it would be improper of me to seek to influence any response that the Monitoring Officer will provide following his consideration.

 

Supplemental question asked by Councillor Woodliffe pursuant to paragraph 11.6 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

Under Section 5 of the statutory guidance for overview and scrutiny, issued in May 2019 and adopted by Council in October 2019, scrutiny members have powers to access information.  When will the Monitoring Officer release the information?

 

Response by Councillor Nigel Welton

 

I refer you to my previous answer.

 

 

Question asked by Councillor Stephen Woodliffe pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

According to DEFRA’s Strategy White Paper published in June 2022, DEFRA defines its seafood strategy as ensuring the delivery of a prosperous seafood sector and, with that, healthier and more sustainable diets achieved by all.  DEFRA initiated the UK Seafood Fund in December 2021 to support the long-term future of the UK fisheries and seafood sector.

 

Boston’s cockle fishing fleet is facing ruin following Eastern-IFCA’s recent decision to curtail access to the Wash fishing grounds.  Given that Boston’s fishing fleet is one of Boston’s few remaining local industries, what practical assistance is the Executive of Boston Borough Council planning to give Boston’s fishermen to ensure the survival of this vital local industry?

 

Response by Councillor Nigel Welton

 

To date I have as you know organised a member meeting that enabled representative from the industry to address members of the council and present their concerns this invitation was also extended to our MP, who attended.

At a full council meeting following this a meeting a representative of the fishing industry asked a question of me as portfolio holder. This was followed up with a meeting with him where a letter was drafted and sent to the relevant minister. This letter and its response was forwarded to all members of the council.

 

Your response personal to me via email was:-

 

Hello Nigel

 

Thank you for your message and the attachment.

 

Well, the attachment seems to merely explain the procedure for dealing with issues, and nothing more.  It’s now up to Matt Warman to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

49.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reported there were no questions from the public. 

 

 

50.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

None

51.

South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy pdf icon PDF 262 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Paul Skinner introduced a report by the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership setting out a Community Safety Strategy for 2022-25.

 

The report detailed the duties placed on local authorities and other named statutory agencies in relation to crime and disorder and outlined the current Community Safety Partnership arrangements across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area and in Lincolnshire as a whole.

 

The Community Safety Strategy had been produced to demonstrate the work of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (SELCSP) which was working collaboratively with the County Safer Lincolnshire Partnership (SLP), to address crime and disorder at a local, sub-regional and County level.

 

The Strategy had been prepared using the format of the last partnership plan of 2016-19.  An Action Plan for 2022/23 would support the strategy and sit with the SELCSP. 

 

Information from the county strategic assessment had been reviewed along with routine data on crime and anti-social behaviour from Lincolnshire Police, information from the pilot initiative StreetSafe which allowed people to anonymously report areas they felt unsafe, and perception data from the Lincolnshire Crime and Policing Survey.  This had been considered alongside the county priorities identified for the SLP.

 

Five priorities were detailed in the plan which was attached at Appendix A of the report:-

  • Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
  • Hate crime
  • Safer streets and night time economy
  • The safety of women and girls
  • Vulnerability and safeguarding

 

It was noted that a Strategy had not been produced since 2019, however it was recognised that the work undertaken locally should be acknowledged and communicated to partner organisations and the public.

 

The Strategy promoted the dedication and commitment of partners working across the SELCP in tackling crime and ASB and aimed to provide a focus for actions to be developed to address the priority community safety issues that impacted on communities within the sub-region.

 

The report had been considered at the meetings of the Corporate and Community Committee on 6 October and Cabinet on 9 November, and the recommendations were endorsed.

 

The strategy and partnership working were welcomed by Members, but some concerns were raised regarding:

 

  • The decision to switch off street lighting which was detrimental to the safety of the community;
  • Omissions in the strategy in respect of disabled, partially sighted and blind residents particularly in regard to cars being parked on pavements which resulted in people having to walk on the roadway;
  • People congregating in large groups and street drinking caused fear and intimidation;
  • Fear of crime was discouraging people to visit the town which was detrimental to the businesses.

 

It was highlighted that the concerns raised were not within the control of the Council, they were the responsibility of the Police or Lincolnshire County Council.  The dual hatted Members were urged to relay the concerns to the County Council.

 

In summing up the Community Safety Team were thanked for an excellent example of cross partnership working in the production of the strategy and Members reminded of the survey being conducted by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

52.

Audit & Governance Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 10 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Peter Watson, seconded by Councillor Anton Dani that the confirmed minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 18 July 2022 be received.

 

53.

Motion to Rescind a Previous Decision

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.1, it is hereby requested that the decisions made at the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2022, in relation to the Financial Outturn 2021/22 report be rescinded and the report be re-submitted to the meeting of the Council to be held on 21 November 2022, noting the report had been considered by the Audit and Governance Committee on 3 October 2022.

 

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Jonathan Noble, seconded by Councillor Anton Dani and

 

RESOLVED that the decisions made at the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2022 in relation to the Financial Outturn 2021/22 report be rescinded.

 

54.

Financial Outturn 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 206 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jonathan Noble introduced a report by the Strategic Finance Manager (PSPS) setting out the draft financial position for the Council at the end of the 2021/22 financial year, and seeking approval for the transfer and drawdown of reserve funds and carry forward of capital budget in the sum of £3.55m.

 

Members commented on the continued financial losses incurred by the Geoff Moulder Leisure Pool and downturn in parking income referred to the in the report.

 

It was noted that options regarding leisure provision were being reviewed with an all Member Workshop arranged for Tuesday 6 December.

 

It was moved by Councillor Johnathan Noble, and seconded by Councillor Paul Skinner and

 

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         That the transfer of £1,830,999 to the Funding Volatility Reserve to fund the 2022/23 budget be approved, this being the Section 31 grant allocated to the Council in 2021/22 but required in 2022/23.

 

2.         That the drawdown £1,864,887 from the Funding Volatility Reserve be approved which is the Section 31 grant set aside in 2020/21 to cover the reduced Business Rates received in 2021/22.

             

3.         That the final revenue surplus (currently estimated to be £165,024) be transferred to the Transformation Reserve to fund future projects which will help realise future revenue savings and service improvements.

 

4.         That the carry forward of Capital Budget of £3.55m as detailed in Table 6 of Appendix A be approved. 

 

 

 

 

55.

To consider resolving that under Section 100(A)(iv) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Order.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Paul Skinner, seconded by Councillor Nigel Welton and

 

 

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(iv) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Order.

 

 

56.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough

Minutes:

A minute of this item has been lodged separately with the Council