Agenda item

To answer any questions (if any) from Elected Members pursuant to Rule 11 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure.

 

Questions from Members of the Council and the public must be received by 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the day of the meeting – the deadline for this meeting is 5 p.m. on Wednesday 26 February 2020

The Chief Executive reported there were two questions from Councillor Brian Rush and two questions from Councillor Anne Dorrian.

 

Question asked by Councillor Brian Rush pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Councillor Skinner, I wonder if you are as frustrated as I have been, regarding the ongoing denigration of this Borough, over past recent years.

 

Are you able to tell me, but more importantly those people we were ALL elected to represent, what you, your Deputy Leader, and your Cabinet Members, plan to do, to demand a greater share of the Counties spoils, for the benefit of our people, our town, and our Borough?”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“Thank you for question Councillor Rush, as previously carefully explained to you on several occasions the Council taxes raised all have a designation and all authorities are required to produce a balanced budget.

 

In addition to the County investing extra resources in Social Services, Flooding and Roads recently. The town has also been in receipt of the opportunity to bid for £25 Million and the Government have also through the EA invested in excess of £125 Million in the Barrier and Bank projects.”

 

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

 

“As a dual hatter, when will Boston get a fair crack and a real share of funding from Lincolnshire County Council?”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“You should understand your question, and don’t bring problems without viable solutions.”

 

Question asked by Councillor Anne Dorrian pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“At the meeting of Council on 15th July 2019, it was brought to your attention that children in the town of Boston have the worst teeth in the Country. What specific actions did you take as a result of receiving that information?”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“I thank Councillor Dorrian for notice of her question.

 

As I mentioned in my response to Councillor Dorrian on 15 July, public health falls under the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council, the Borough Council has no direct powers in this respect.

 

However, I can report that at a meeting of the Boston Strategic Health Group held on 6^th February, of which the Borough is a partner organisation, the issue of oral health was discussed.  It was recognised that there are significant inequalities in Lincolnshire with 41% of children in Boston having experience of dental decay. There is evidence that socio-economic deprivation is a clear determinant of such inequalities and one of the main attributing factors is the water not being fluoridated in our area.

 

As a result of these issues being highlighted, Health Visitors have been universally distributing tooth brushing packs containing a toothbrush, high fluoride toothpaste and free flow cup.  Work is on-going with primary schools in relation to the Lincolnshire Smiles initiative, a county wide supervised tooth brushing initiative for Early Years Settings and Schools designed to reduce dental decay in children.The EMTET Team (Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team) are also looking at appropriate educational tools to help alleviate the problems.  The matter is due for further consideration at the next meeting of the Strategic Health Group on 21 May 2020.”

 

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

 

“I allowed you to sit on this for six months before discussing again.  You are the Council’s representative on the Group and a dual hatter, as such have a duty to provide leadership and should have replicated action taken by other councils in tackling the problems.  Cabinet members and Leader should be taking action not just saying words, I am more interested in action.”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“I am no longer hold the health portfolio, which is now health and wellbeing.  As described, successful action has been taken across the districts to tackle the problem, but I do not run the NHS, I will stick with Cabinet.”

 

Question asked by Councillor Anne Dorrian pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Please outline how you intend to lead the whole Council rather than just the Conservative Group.”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“I have already stated that I would work with anyone for the mutual benefit of the Town of Boston.”

 

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

 

“How are you going to lead the Borough out of this mess and move forward?  It’s bad enough that your wife is chairman of a committee scrutinising your decisions which goes against the recently adopted scrutiny guidelines.”

 

Point of personal explanation from Councillor Judith Skinner –

 

“I take exception to those comments.  I do the best I can in a fair and transparent way.  This is a personal attack.”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“I have recently held a meeting of Group Leaders and emphasized the importance of working together and individual member development.  I will endeavor to make the Council the best it can be.  Tony Robbins, an inspirational speaker, asks why do we do what we do, what motivates us to deliver tasks.  We create our own path to success and our own path to failure.”

 

Question asked by Councillor Brian Rush pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Councillor Skinner, I have known you for a good number of years, and despite your obvious loyalty to the Conservative cause, Elected Members of all persuasions are bound together by this authorities support, for the Principles of Nolan.

 

For those of you here, that do not know what the Principles of Nolan are, let me please enlighten you:

 

Selflessness,  Act solely in terms of the Public Interest!

 

Integrity, Holders of public office must not place themselves under any obligation to anyone that might try to influence them in their work. Nor take decisions to secure benefits for themselves, their family or friends.

 

Objectivity, They must act and take impartial decisions, fairly, using the best evidence, and without discrimination.

 

 Accountability,  Holders must be accountable for their decisions, and remain ready to submit themselves to scrutiny to support this.

 

Openness, Information should never be withheld from the Public, without clear and lawful reasons for doing so.

 

Honesty Holders must be truthful.

 

Leadership Holders must be seen to support these principles in their own lives, and be always willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever and whenever, it occurs.

 

These SEVEN principles of Councillorship, are our promises to you, the Electorate!

 

Councillor Skinner in this the first few weeks of your Leadership, will you promise the good people of Boston Borough, that you will be upholding these principles, throughout your term, and without fear or favour?   

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“I am pleased you took notice of Councillor Alison Austin’s comments at the last Council meeting.

 

Yes I do intend to abide within my party’s rules.”

 

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

 

“Do you agree the most important of the Nolan Principles is to act selflessly in the public interest, would you like to make an apology?”

 

Response by Councillor Paul Skinner

 

“It is not just the seven principles, I would like to see respect and courtesy included.  Members should treat others as they would want to be treated themselves.  To quote from Rocky VI, the value of hard work and commitment is not how hard you hit, but how hard you hit and keep moving forward, never give up.”