Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lina Savickiene.

No interests were declared.

To agree the minutes of the of Full Council meeting held on 16th September 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 16^th September 2024 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.

The Chief Executive confirmed that there were no communications.

The Chief Executive confirmed that no deputations or petitions had been received.

The Chief Executive advised that the following questions had been received:

Question to Councillor John Baxter from Councillor James Cantwell

Is the Cabinet Member concerned about amount of energy related planning applications and the impact on The Five Villages Ward?

Response from Councillor John Baxter

I would like to thank Councillor Cantwell for notice of his question.

As Portfolio Holder for Planning I do share a concern about the number and scale of some of the proposed energy related planning applications in the District.

As Members will be aware a number of these projects are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). These projects are determined by the Secretary of State, rather than the District Council. As Portfolio Holder for Planning, I will ensure that our planning officers are fully engaged and understand the policy issues and challenges that these proposals raise. It is critical that the environmental impacts of these proposals are fully appraised.

Where applications are submitted to the Council as Local Planning Authority, these will be dealt with in the usual professional manner by the team, in accordance with local and national policy and our scheme of delegation.

Where members have any specific concerns, I encourage them to speak to either Phil Norman as AD for Planning or Abbie Marwood as Deputy Development Manager.

Supplementary question to Councillor John Baxter from Councillor James Cantwell

My residents have found this borough's response to the numerous projects painfully silent. This administration's neutrality on renewable energy projects damaging our countryside and our area is certainly a sign of the weaknesses of its leadership. Why are you so silent on this? And will you meet with myself, Councillor Brown, Bicker Parish councillors and residents to discuss the support we need on Bicker Fen as well.

Response from Councillor John Baxter

Thank you, Councillor Cantwell for your supplementary question.

Sometimes I do things quietly. I can assure you that I have been to nearly every consultation. The other week, I went to Bicker Village Hall to talk to the guys there from the National Grid about the national project there, and chatted to some of the residents. Fair enough I didn't have my badge, but I explained the other work as well. If you remember, there was a question in the Council here from Council Rylott to Councillor Dorrian where we expressed our concern about the National Grid, the pylons, and in effect we have lobbied MPs etc. This of course means, well, some of these are permitted development.

They come from national government and also the Secretary of State. I can assure you that I have been to Midville to the National Grid consultation with Councillor Butler.

I've been involved with Councillor Sharp and Councillor Butler.

We've been to the outer dowsing projects with some of these. We've talked about local people being employed. We've talked about the community projects. If you remember, I sent you an e-mail councillor to say, had you heard about some of the community projects you could tap  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Chief Executive confirmed that no questions had been received from members of the public.

To receive the draft Minutes from the meeting held on 14^th October 2024.

Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, presented the draft Audit and Governance minutes from the meeting held on 14^th October 2024 which was for councillors to note.

(A report by John Medler, Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer)

Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer which sought consideration of the Audit and Governance Committee’s Annual Report 2023/2024, attached as Appendix 1 within the report.

Members noted that the progress made by the last 12 months had been very positive. The action plan, continuous training, increased knowledge and experience had placed the Committee in a very strong position to ensure checks, balances and assurances were all in place. Any areas where there had been concerns or issues had been swiftly addressed by the officers concerned. Two new independent co-opted members had been appointed to the Committee and would be attending their first meeting on 18^th November 2024. Councillor Pierpoint thanked Committee Members and the Officers involved for their hard work.

Members congratulated Councillor Pierpoint for the way he had chaired the Committee over the last year.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

(A report by John Medler, Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer)

Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of the Council, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer which sought consideration of a proposal to establish a District Joint Committee for the purposes of devolution and participation of non-constituent local authorities at the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.

It was anticipated that new arrangements would come into existence

late 2024/early 2025 which would allow for the establishment of the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority (GLMCCA) with an election of a Greater Lincolnshire Mayor taking place in May 2025. The arrangements allowed for the establishment of a Joint Committee of the seven districts, non-constituent members, to provide a mechanism for participation at the GLMCCA. The proposed Terms of Reference (Appendix A) and Standing Orders (Appendix 1) for the District Joint Committee were attached to the report.

Members discussed the report and the following comments were made:

·         Concerns were raised regarding the election of a Mayor for Lincolnshire as it had not been evidenced that it was what the public actually wanted.

·         Concerns were also raised in respect of the preset powers the Mayor would have, the additional tier of Local Government and the potential additional costs to residents.

·         Members noted that the Council had previously rejected the deal. However, the importance of Boston Borough Council’s involvement in the Joint Committee was recognised.

·         The Leader was committed to working with the elected Mayor, as far as possible, to get the best outcomes for the residents of the Borough.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Anne Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Barrie Pierpoint.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the establishment of a District Joint Committee of the Lincolnshire District/Borough Authorities for the purposes of devolution and participation at the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority be approved;

2.    That the Leader of the Council represent Boston Borough Council at the District Joint Committee;

3.    That the proposed Terms of Reference (Appendix A) and Standing Orders (Appendix 1) for the District Joint Committee be approved; and

4.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, to approve amendments to the Terms of Reference, in consultation with the Leader and Monitoring Officer, noting that such amendments shall require the approval of all members of the District Joint Committee.

(A report by Christian Allen, Assistant Director – Regulatory)

Councillor Dale Broughton, Deputy Leader of the Council, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Regulatory which sought adoption of the proposed Statement of Principles in respect of the Gambling Act 2005, as detailed in Appendix 1 within the report.

The purpose of the statement was to provide advice to businesses, operators and the public of the Council's overall position with regards to administration and enforcement of gambling legislation and to provide a decision making framework for the Council through the Licensing Committee. The Gambling Act 2005 delegated responsibility for a number of gambling functions to licensing authorities.

Members noted that the Licensing Committee had considered the draft revised statement of principles on 24^th September 2024 and had resolved that the draft be consulted on in accordance with the Gambling Act. Additionally, the Committee had resolved that, should the consultation yield no responses, the statement of principles be presented to Full Council.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Dale Broughton and seconded by Councillor Anne Dorrian.

RESOLVED:

That the Statement of Principles be adopted and published.

(A report by John Leach, Deputy Chief Executive – Communities)

Councillor John Baxter, Portfolio Holder – Housing, presented a report by the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities which sought approval to add to the Capital Programme the financial capacity to support the delivery of Affordable Housing through the use of commuted sums.

The funding was held by the Council, within its reserves, to assist with the delivery of new affordable homes. In order to deploy the funding it was necessary to be transferred into the Council’s Capital Programme. These funds would be used to deliver affordable housing within the borough over the next two to three years. Discussions were underway with registered affordable housing in order to identify housing stock within the borough which would provide a mixture of accommodation, including general needs, social rented properties, rent to buy and shared ownership.

Members discussed the report and the following comments were made:

·         There was a significant need for new affordable homes in the borough.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the growth of the population when compared to the homes that were available. There were several households within the area that were not considered to be fit for purpose.

·         The location of an identified site was queried, but was confirmed to be confidential for commercially sensitive reasons.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the amount of residents coming in from the EU for work purposes and the fact that many landlords were rumoured to be selling properties as a result of the effects of Central Government taxation.

·         Clarity was sought regarding the types of housing that would be available in The Quadrant, for which the details were currently commercially sensitive.

·         It was queried whether residents from outside of the borough would be entitled to receive affordable housing.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there were currently 1253 houses available which were allocated on a priority basis. He advised that the types of properties becoming available should satisfy the needs of the residents. He also thanked officers for their work on the project.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor John Baxter and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the addition of £1,074,000 to the Capital Programme for the purpose of supporting the development of Affordable Housing be approved; and

2.    That the use of £1,074,000 from the commuted sum affordable housing funding held in reserves to support this activity be approved.

(A report by Pranali Parikh, Director of Economic Development)

Councillor Sandeep Ghosh, Portfolio Holder – Finance, presented a report by the Director of Economic Growth which sought the acceptance of Levelling Up Partnership (LUP) funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to enable the delivery of eight projects.

MHCLG was providing £16,985,760 capital funding and £240,000 revenue funding to the Council. The objectives of the funding were to improve community cohesion, support the Boston400 visitor economy and improve skills and address health barriers to employment. MHCLG had identified eight projects to be delivered by the Council, three directly and five projects in partnership with external project leads.

The delivery of the project would be done through a range of partners, including Boston College, Destination Lincolnshire, Boston United Football and Sports Complex and Lincolnshire Community Voluntary Services. The funding would deliver a range of benefits for the town, including affordable homes and improved tourism, offer an enhanced access to leisure, health and well-being.

Members noted that the Cabinet would have oversight of the delivery of the projects with internal governance and monitoring arrangements in place.

Members discussed the report and the following comments were made:

·         Members were encouraged to find that Boston400 had been considered within the report, due to its forthcoming anniversary, and noted the following details in that democracy was the big contribution that Boston (UK) had made to America and the world in general. Democracy had been cemented into place in the 1630s in Boston, Massachusetts, by the 12 men and women who came from the local area. They were named on the stones either side of the path on the south side of St Botolph's Church. Knowing the importance of democracy would help people to engage with the plans for Boston400.

·         A suggestion was made to adopt democracy as a theme for the Boston400 celebrations and to establish a working party of members from all three partnership Councils to increase understanding of the plans for Boston400.

·         The Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre facilities were referred to as needing improvement and maintenance. It was confirmed that funding from the LUP would be used for it.

·         There was consensus from Members to support the recommendations within the report. However, concerns were raised as to whether the funding was sufficient.

·         Members noted that the Portfolio Holder – Culture, Councillor Sarah Sharpe, was supportive and passionate regarding the Boston400 project and would be confirming plans in due course.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh and seconded by Councillor Anne Dorrian.

RESOLVED:

That the Levelling Up Partnership funding from MHCLG be formally accepted, with the Council’s Capital Programme and Revenue budget being updated accordingly to enable project funds to be allocated and projects to be delivered as set out in the table within section 2.7 of the report.