Agenda item

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

 

1. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Jonathan Noble:

 

As a local politician who presumably supports openness and transparency in local government affairs, why did you think it appropriate to vote for a secret vote on the proposed allowance increases for Boston Borough Councillors at January’s Full Council meeting?

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

May I thank Cllr Noble for his question. This decision doesn't pertain to my role as Leader. The full Council considered this matter in a public meeting and voted via a paper ballot which is a permitted form of voting within the Council’s constitution.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Jonathan Noble to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Mr Mayor, I think the Councillor’s response was really an exercise in semantics because he talks in his response about a paper ballot. This is, in effect, a secret vote and no doubt it was made a secret vote because some councillors didn't want their local citizens to know how they voted., Which brings me on to the second part of it, which is of course, it was all about allowances. Now, there was an Independent Panel that made certain recommendations as to allowances. I think there was an amendment put forward by Councillor Woodliffe which was accepted.

And so as a result of that we had an allowance increase for ordinary members of 25%, but there were some more incredible increases in allowances, for example, Councillor Broughton, then Deputy Leader of Boston Independents, saw a 49% increase in his allowance to £12,500 plus the basic allowance.

 

So I'm just asking, given that in Boston you know we are a town where there's high rents and there's low wages and there's exorbitant energy costs, how does Councillor Broughton justify this massive increase in allowances, given that the inflation rate at the time of the vote was about 3 or 4%. Thank you.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

I would like to thank Councillor Noble for his supplementary. As I stated previously Councillor Noble, this was a Council decision, a Full Council decision. You seem to be assuming it was me who made all these decisions and it wasn't.

 

Everybody took a vote on it, so therefore I don't see why you're actually trying to say it was me who actually put these increases in. So, that’s as much as I can say. Thank you.

 

2. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Jonathan Noble:

 

Why did it take so long for Boston Borough Council to support East Lindsey District Council’s and South Holland District Council’s proposal for a Southern Lincolnshire Unitary Council, given that they are our partner councils?

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

A position was taken in March that the Council should consider what proposals were being developed for Greater Lincolnshire before deciding how it wished to position itself. Very quickly after becoming Leader, with Cabinet, we took a decision that the strongest proposal is ‘A Greater Lincolnshire for All’, which proposes a Northern and Southern Unitary Council.  We are actively engaged with our partners at SHDC and ELDC to ensure we have a robust submission to government for 28 November.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Jonathan Noble to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Obviously, this is all about devolution but in fact it seems to be an accretion of power to a higher authority. You see we have a current system that seems to work which is Parish Councils, Borough Councils and County Councils. Now all kind of claims have been made about this new entity when it comes into, that it'll be better value for money, better value for services, but I question is there not going to be a democratic deficit for people of Boston, because at the moment we have fairly small electoral wards and people can fairly easily access the councillors. If this all goes through, we're going to have bigger electoral divisions and it's going to be harder, I think, for people to get information. It talks about decision making remaining close to the local communities.

 

Do you think that the whole thing is going to be a massive success or do you agree with me, perhaps there's going to be a democratic deficit for local people in terms of getting their information, thank you.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Thank you, Councillor Noble. Again, our ‘A Greater Lincolnshire for All’ proposal has been all across the county. We've explained what our proposal is.

 

We've come to the conclusion, rather than going against it, we've got to embrace it and try and get the best for our residents. And, again, we've still got another three roadshows to go. Our proposal I believe is the best for our residents of the Borough and I will believe that until the Government decides which one to choose.

 

3. Question to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh from Councillor Jonathan Noble:

 

Why is there a forecast Revenue position overspend of £829,000 for the financial year 2025-26?

 

Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh:

 

Thank you for your question.

 

The overspend reported at Q1 for BBC was due to shortfalls in achieving targeted salary efficiencies and lower than expected income from Bereavement services. These shortfalls are partially mitigated by savings from Senior Leadership Officer posts, higher than anticipated investment income and additional grant funding. Further, the Council has made arrangements to seek improvement in this position through identifying opportunities for further efficiencies and actively engaging with Service Managers to take this forward.

 

This report is available at the following link should the enquirer wish to review the matter in greater detail.

https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130& MId=22 90&Ver=4

Please see Table 1 of the Revenue Finance report (https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/documents/s23866/Appendix%20A%20-%20BBC%20Q1%20Finance%20Revenue%20Report%202025-26.pdf), which outlines the specific variances along with the appropriate figures.

 

As is usual in Boston the Efficiency Target identified as part of the process to balance the Budget is set to reduce progressively throughout the financial year. In order to assure that progress continues to be made at officer level a new Transformation monitoring process has been created to oversee this journey in 2025/26 and 2026/27.  Further progress will be reported through the quarterly financial monitoring process.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Jonathan Noble to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh:

 

Thank you, Councillor Ghosh, for a very comprehensive answer. You did refer at the beginning of your statement or your response to shortfalls in achieving targeted salary efficiencies and lower than expected income from bereavement services.

 

Now, bereavement services used to be a very good earner for this Council. I know it's not a statutory obligation, but we did provide it. So, I wonder why there's this sudden decline in bereavement services’ income. If you could answer that please and also why we failed to meet our salary efficiency targets? If you don’t know I would be happy to have a written response later.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh:

 

Regarding the bereavement services, it's an historically set budget. So, I already discussed with the managers, they have to learn from the historical data and they have to come up with the new budget, really, which considers the wrong way budget set previously it should be corrected this time.

 

Regarding the next one you said was the salary efficiencies. Every budget manager has to consider the timing of the recruitment, so that needs to be considered. It's just the Quarter One, still more three quarters to go. We will get to know how much we can save. It's really an estimation, really, we don't know yet. Thank you.

 

4. Question to Councillor Claire Rylott from Councillor Jonathan Noble:

 

Given that Boston Borough’s contribution to global warming is so infinitesimal as to be immeasurable, why does Boston Borough Council have a Net Zero target of 2040?

 

Response from Councillor Claire Rylott:

 

As a country, the UK Government has set legally binding commitment to be Net Zero by 2050. Whilst Boston Borough Council’s carbon footprint from its own operations is relatively modest, as a local authority we are uniquely positioned to lead by example and foster positive relationships within the wider community to educate, guide and implement some of the changes required to reduce carbon emissions across the Borough. That sphere of influence is wide ranging and covers local infrastructure, planning, housing and economic development amongst many other areas.

 

The Council takes a balanced and pragmatic approach to identifying opportunities to reduce our carbon emissions in a way that leads to multiple other benefits being realised including long term financial savings, improved health and wellbeing and reduced waste. The decision to set Boston Borough Council’s Net Zero target at 2040 was based on science-based targets linked to the Carbon Budget which demonstrates that the level of emissions required to keep global temperatures below an increase of 1.5 degrees would be exceeded within the Borough by 2042 unless emissions are reduced.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Jonathan Noble to Councillor Claire Rylott:

 

Well, given that response it’s very clear that this Council, or the Cabinet anyway, supports the net zero target. Now my point is this - we have electricity costs in this country which are the highest in the Western world, our costs are a third higher than they are in Germany.

 

Therefore, because of net zero and green energy subsidies, we are paying exorbitant electricity prices. So, my question to Councillor Rylott, do you think that that is a price worth paying in order to get to a notional net zero target of 2040. Thank you.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Claire Rylott:

 

Just recently, the Royal Yacht Association announced they would prefer us not to use the old saying “man overboard”. We should now say “person in the water”. By my recollection, Councillor Noble, the next time you jump ship, it could be third time lucky. I wonder which political party will be top of the polls then.

 

I will respond to the supplementary question in writing.

 

[A copy of the written response is appended to the Minutes.]

 

5. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Jonathan Noble:

 

Does Boston Borough Council support the flying of English flags on certain lamp posts in the town, thus allowing local citizens to demonstrate their patriotism?

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

As Leader of this Council, I have and will continue to support the appropriate flying of various national flags to mark, commemorate and celebrate a whole host of local, national and international events, including the flying of the English Flag and the Union Jack.  What I do not support is any form of graffiti being sprayed or painted on anything or flags being attached to monuments or heritage assets that are not purposely designed to have them attached because of the risk of damage being caused; I also hope that this Council does not begin to see any complaints land with it about the state any flags, that have been put up recently as a display of the patriotism you suggest, could fall into as they weather and may begin to degrade.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Jonathan Noble to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Yes, I think Councillor Broughton’s answer goes beyond his brief because I only asked about flags on lamp posts. I wasn't talking about any flags on monuments or anything like that but the key point is this - some people apparently have suggested that this is an example of vandalism and thuggery having these flags flying.

 

So, my question to Councillor Broughton is this, do you think that these flags on lamp posts - are they an appropriate form of celebration or not? And if not, is your group seeking to have these flags taken down, given that they're on LCC property? Thank you.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

I responded to the last question, Councillor Noble.

 

I will continue to support the appropriate flying of various national flags to mark, commemorate and celebrate a whole host of local, national and international events, just not done on heritage assets, which should not be used for putting flags on.

 

6. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Richard Austin:

 

The Great Exhibition of Lincolnshire is due to be staged on 22nd October 2025 at the Lincolnshire Show Ground.

 

The purpose of this event is to showcase the best of Lincolnshire, attract investment, and celebrate the County’s industry and innovation.

 

I understand that the stands are by invitation and that they are now at capacity.

 

Please can you tell the Council which companies, based in this Borough, have accepted the invitation to exhibit at this prestigious event?

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Many thanks for the question.

 

The Great of Exhibition of Lincolnshire is planned for 22nd October. It is being arranged by the Greater Lincolnshire County Combined Authority, but officers and members from Boston Borough Council (and the wider SELCP) will be attending the event to meet with those in attendance, including those with an investment interest in the area. The Borough Council is actively promoting the event to local businesses, and it is hoped many local businesses will also join on the day as delegates.

 

In terms of exhibitors, the Combined Authority have invited a number of Boston based businesses to showcase their business at the event. At the time of writing the combined authority was working with those businesses to confirm their attendance. For any business considering attending, we would warmly welcome their involvement and hope to meet them there.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Richard Austin to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

It is a big disappointment that the event does not give opportunity for the great anniversary of 2030 and the foundation of Boston, Massachusetts. It ought to be showcased at this event as it has a big potential to increase the economy of a substantial area of Lincolnshire.

 

Please can you ensure that this doesn't happen next year.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Thank you, Councillor Austin. I'll make a note of that and pass it on.

 

7. Question to Councillor Barrie Pierpoint from Councillor Anne Dorrian:

 

Please provide a list of all Mayoral duties which you have attended to between the dates of 21^st July 2025 until 24^th September 2025.

 

Response from Councillor Barrie Pierpoint:

 

Between 21^st July and 24^th September 2025, I have attended 29 mayoral engagements across the Borough. A copy of those details will be available for Councillor Dorrian to collect at the end of the meeting and also for anyone else who wishes to see a copy.

 

[The A list of Mayoral Duties is appended to the Minutes.]

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Anne Dorrian to Councillor Barrie Pierpoint:

 

Are you going to abuse any women when you're on mayoral duties, Is my question?

 

Supplementary Response from Councillor Barrie Pierpoint:

 

I've never abused any women in my mayoral duties and I take exception to that remark. Thank you.

 

Let me just respond to something else about mayoral duties for your information. I was amazed and overwhelmed by your interest in my Mayoral role and duties, becoming the Mayor of Boston and Admiral of the Wash. Considering that you have never spoken to me since I took the appointment up to ask me how I was getting on. Nor showing any interest in whatsoever from.

 

8.Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor David Middleton:

 

With regard to your portfolio duties relating to community safety, please provide council with an update on the appointment of the two Community Safety Officers and their duties.

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Thank you for your question.

 

Two Community Safety Officers have now been appointed and commenced their duties in August.

 

Their main job purpose is to work mainly within Boston Town Centre, but any area within the wider Borough to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour, creating safer, more cohesive communities through enforcement, education and increased awareness.

 

Some of their key duties:

 

a)    To carry out uniformed patrols as identified by the Safer Communities and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Team in consultation with Lincolnshire Police and other partners, providing a visible and reassuring presence to deter crime and anti-social behaviour. The role includes some evenings during the week and working at the weekend.

 

b)    To offer targeted support to vulnerable members of the community, responding to their needs and referring to other agencies when required.

 

c)    To work with all residents and businesses to promote and encourage community integration and social inclusion, reducing the fear of crime by establishing trust.

 

d)    Be responsible for recording incidents / actions within a PACE note book and then transfer onto the ASB Database system (called E-CINS), reporting and investigating activities and allegations of nuisance behaviour, reporting back to residents (with the support of the ASB Officer) with progress and outcomes of investigations.

 

e)    Encourage residents to report anti-social behaviour / crime and signpost them on how to do so.

 

f)     To be alert to and report back on any incidents of fly-tipping, littering, graffiti, and acts of vandalism.

 

g)    Ensure compliance with the Public Spaces Protection Order (Alcohol) within Boston Town Centre, issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for any breach of the conditions set out within legislation and/or reporting back to the ASB Officer any matters dealt with that fits in within the recognised incremental approach for the PSPO (Alcohol).

 

h)    To act as a professional witness, prepare evidence and appear in court as required.

 

i)     Work with the wider Communities Team on community engagement activities and events to build trust, utilising opportunities to speak to residents / businesses and partners and promote key messages.

 

j)     Work closely with Lincolnshire Police and other partners, including businesses on ShopWatch and Pubwatch.

 

As the CSOs have only just commenced their duties, I will be reviewing their work regularly at my Portfolio Meetings with Safer Communities Team throughout the next year.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor David Middleton to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

A very comprehensive answer – thank you.

 

With regard to the press release which announced the arrival of these Community Safety Officers, local residents could be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that these posts had been funded by Boston Borough Council when that is not the case. Now we know that this initiative was entirely developed by Councillor Dorrian but given that we've all gotten used to you riding on her coattails, it's not surprising you didn't give her any credit at all.

 

What is unforgivable though is the fact that you failed to acknowledge the Boston Town Board, because it was they who contributed £100,000 to the project following negotiations with the previous Leader. It is completely unacceptable that you would treat one of our valued partner organisations with such contempt. Could you find it in your way please to apologise to the Town Board?

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

This has been addressed. This has been addressed to the Town Board and once again Councillor Dorrian - was she the only one on the Council when all this was done? Obviously not.

 

9. Question to Councillor Helen Staples from Councillor Anne Dorrian:

 

Cllr Cresswell will be an extremely hard act for you to follow and many people, including me, believe that she was unfairly sacked for honouring her election pledge and refusing to join your new gang. Please provide commentary on the approach you will take to ensure the effective delivery of your portfolio duties.

 

Response from Councillor Helen Staples:

 

Thank you for your question.

 

Under Councillor Cresswell’s remit, the Communities portfolio and services have established some excellent initiatives, and I hope to maintain and expand these partnerships and projects.

 

As an example of my new steer, last week we held a successful Autumn Days event within the Parish of Boston. I’m pleased to report that nearly 600 people came through the doors of the Stump.

 

I hope my experience as Mayor and work in the community will help, and the great team of staff and fellow Councillors in this chamber will support the effective delivery of my duties.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Anne Dorrian to Councillor Helen Staples:

 

I was actually keen to discover if you had any sayings or mantras to give us an insight into your approach to your portfolio. You wrote to me earlier this year and I quote: “Never trust a Tory or an Austin is my mantra”, and I'm curious to know how that translates now that you’re in an administration with two Austin councillors and you're sitting around the Cabinet table with a Tory, perhaps both the Austins and the Tories, should take a very cautious approach in getting involved with you.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Helen Staples:

 

No, I find it totally inappropriate, Councillor Dorrian and I will not answer that publicly, but I'll give you a written answer.

 

[A copy of the written response is appended to the Minutes.]

 

10. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Emma Cresswell:

 

I am sure that several weeks into your new role you will have met with the Chief Executive of PSPS on a one-to-one basis. If so, what assurances, did you give him in relation to his claim that he failed to retain staff, in part, due to the conduct of elected members? If you haven’t met him yet please explain why not and please still comment on how you intend to reassure him with regard to staff retention issues.

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Yes, I have already met with the PSPS Chief Executive. It is my intention to look forwards and work constructively with PSPS as a significant delivery partner.

 

It is for the PSPS Board of Directors to oversee and scrutinise staff turn-over within the Company and I have now appointed two Councillors as Directors who will be responsible for that on our behalf.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Emma Cresswell to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

I'm sure that you will agree that proper oversight of PSPS and the Board of Directors is extremely important. To add to what Councillor Noble raised earlier about the point to yourself about LGR. As a Cabinet, I think you will agree, we did not feel we could work with East Lindsey or South Holland while they removed some of our class rights on PSPS and that was part of our bargaining chip before we actually agreed.

 

Regarding staffing issues, as well as many other issues, the Board of directors of PSPS is really important. Councillor Rylott raised a legal matter at the last meeting of Full Council and claimed that neither you nor the rest of the Cabinet were aware of the costs incurred when you know and the rest of the Cabinet who were the last administration know that's not true. Councillor Dorrian kept all of Cabinet fully briefed. She gave us multiple packs of information to do with PSPS and sought support and guidance from us on at least three Cabinet meetings. I would like to know who gave you authority or why you discussed a confidential legal matter with the opposition instead of going through the deputy monitoring officer?

 

Councillor Rylott raised a point of order to clarify that the information being referred to did not originate from any Cabinet Member, but was provided by an external source.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

I didn't quite catch all your question, Councillor Cresswell, but I'm happy to give you a written response.

 

[A copy of the written response is appended to the Minutes.]

 

11. Question to Councillor Callum Butler from Councillor Anne Dorrian:

 

Please provide council with a brief update of your portfolio work with a specific reference to current staffing arrangements.

 

Response from Councillor Callum Butler:

 

My Portfolio Holder work is described in our Annual Delivery Plan. It's a very busy year as we plan for food waste collections. We employ our staff directly, supported by agency workers and operate under a management structure operated within our partnership arrangements.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Anne Dorrian to Councillor Callum Butler:

 

With regard to staffing, the introduction recently of the EDI policy at Cabinet was very important because this policy allows us to attract and retain diverse talent and helps to create a workforce that's better equipped to understand, engage and respond to the complex challenges of our residents.

 

It allows staff actually to have equality such as equal pay, maternity leave, holiday pay or being appointed on merit and not because you're part of a jolly boys’ club.

 

The EDI policy allows us to ensure that voices and the needs of all residents are recognised and valued and in turn leads to policies and initiatives that genuinely reflect the communities they serve. A good example actually in your portfolio, Councillor Butler, would be the application of our back door bin service. For example, recently one resident suffered the indignity of this service being withdrawn simply because operatives didn't fully understand issues around disability.

 

So, I'd like to ask you why you voted against the introduction of the EDI policy at Cabinet, especially given the fact that you hadn't bothered to offer any contribution to the debate beforehand.

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Callum Butler:

 

Thank you, Councillor Dorrian, for your supplementary. I voted against the EDI policy solely because I do not agree with employing another officer, another member of staff, to do something that we should be doing anyway. Thank you.

 

12. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Anne Dorrian:

 

Please comment on the importance of elected members providing factually correct and truthful information - in line with the Nolan Principles - when discussing council business with the press, other elected members or members of the public.

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

May I thank councillor Dorrian for her question. I would agree this is important and is something we should positively support each other in, to learn and become the best Council we can going forward, which is what the majority of councillors voted in wish to do.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Anne Dorrian to Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Because sometimes the majority of elected members don't want to do what you just said and there is an egregious incident that I'm aware of and I'm sure you're aware of when Councillor Gilbert gave a direct quote to The Target on the 30th of July 2025 stating that, and I quote, “Anne Dorrian engineered a vote against me because she claimed that I made racist comments because I discussed Islam as an ideology.”

 

You Councillor Broughton know that is factually incorrect and nothing could be further from the truth. When that issue arose you also know for a fact that rather than lead anyone to a conclusion, I emphasised the fact that all of you had to make your own choice without being led by anyone at all.

 

Is this willingness to allow your group to feed false information to the public the best that we can expect now?

 

Supplementary response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

Thank you, Councillor Dorrian. I am more than happy to give you with a written response.

 

[A copy of the written response is appended to the Minutes.]

 

Question 13 was withdrawn by Councillor Anne Dorrian.

 

14. Question to Councillor Dale Broughton from Councillor Anne Dorrian:

 

One of the most important Nolan Principles is integrity, which can be defined as “acting with honesty and according to strong, consistent moral and ethical principles, even when no-one is watching.” Do you fully understand this meaning and if so, give an example of a time that you acted in this vein.

 

Response from Councillor Dale Broughton:

 

May I thank Councillor Dorrian for her question. It would be misguided to claim a full understanding of matters which are often subject to personal judgements. It's perhaps not about giving an example, more about endeavouring to achieve these principles each day and learn from where they challenge us.

 

During a supplementary question to Councillor Broughton, Councillor Dorrian did not pose a question and was advised by the Mayor to conclude her remarks. Following this, the Mayor moved, and Councillor Andy Izard seconded, that Councillor Dorrian be not heard further in accordance with Procedure Rule 25.4 of the Council’s Constitution. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a majority, without discussion.