Agenda item

The Chief Executive reported there were questions from Councillors George Cornah, Tom Ashton, Judith Skinner, Brian Rush, and Anne Dorrian.

 

Question asked by Councillor George Cornah pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Following the announcement of the investment in our town by Plant and Bean will the Portfolio Holder explain why the company chose to invest in their global headquarters in Boston, and what impact this will have on the local economy in the future.”

 

Response by Councillor Nigel Welton

 

“Our whole approach to inward investment is simple; its driven by passion, trust and a shared understanding of the needs of the business underpinned by an agile, flexible and seamless team approach - and landing Plant & Bean was no exception. 

 

Firstly they chose Boston over two other sites because of the confidence, rapport and integrity in the officers of the council during early preliminary and fact finding conversations and gave credit to our proactive approach in supporting their needs. 

 

Secondly, how quickly we mobilised a collaborative ‘Touch Down Team’ which they could interrogate on how the Council, University of Lincoln, Boston College and DWP could work with them on skills, recruitment, supply chain introductions and general business support. This approach also gave us the opportunity to reiterated our growth vision and the part the Town Deal plays in influencing future investments like this.

 

Thirdly, was the importance of our embedded relationship with a well-connected food sector including logistics, access to the Port, educational links across all levels, a connected supply chain (including growers) and a very well-trained workforce.

 

In regards to the economic impact; the business will over time deliver nearly 500 new jobs with a relatively high proportion of those in technical roles requiring higher skill levels creating opportunities for up-skilling of local skill sets, resulting in higher wage levels, increased productivity and greater spend locally.  

 

Having a major business like Plant & Bean relocate to Boston again is a massive boost to our credibility as a place to start, grow and invest and presents the council with a great opportunity to move, in part away from agri food to more plant based production and manufacturing. It also creates the opportunity to expand and grow a “plant based” food cluster and become the “go to location” for this type of food production - creating more higher skilled job opportunities, higher wage levels, raised aspirations in our young people - all delivering great economic well-being and resilience for the borough and what better reason for families to stay or relocate here.”

 

Supplemental question asked by Councillor Cornah pursuant to paragraph 10.6 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

“Thank you for the response.  It is really exciting to see this level of investment and creation of jobs for Boston and I thank the Economic Development Team for all their work on this project.”

 

Question asked by Councillor Tom Ashton pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Would you agree that this Council has been generously compensated by the government for the economic difficulties it and local businesses have faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent national lockdowns?”

 

Response by Councillor Jonathan Noble

 

“I agree that our Council has been amply compensated by Central Government for the economic difficulties it and local businesses have faced as a result of the pandemic and the ensuing national lockdowns.”

 

Supplemental question asked by Councillor Ashton pursuant to paragraph 10.6 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

“What specific funding allocation has been made to the Council and local businesses?”

 

Response by Councillor Noble

 

We’ve received £5,311,000 in section 31 monies from central government, that’s for business rates relief. 

 

We’ve received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Covid-19 receipts totalling £1,185,000 in four tranches, that’s for lost fees and charges income.

 

We’ve had business grants of £14,430,000 helping 1,245 local businesses.

 

We’ve received £750,000 from the Towns Fund, it goes into the capital programme.

 

We’ve received £495,000 from the Community Champions community cohesion grant.

 

And more recently we’ve received:

 

• £798,500 in the Local Authority Discretionary Grant scheme;
• £1,161 360 pounds for the Local Restriction Support Grant Addendum;
• £1,403,460 for the Additional Restrictions grant;
• Over £13,000 for the Local Restriction Support grant, which was from 2^nd of December 2020 to the 19^th of the same month.

 

We also received £127,242 for Local Restriction Support grant closed between 2^nd of December and 19^th of December

 

We’ve also received £38,400 Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs.

 

So, you can see that we’ve been handsomely remunerated or compensated by central government for the difficulties we face as a result of the lockdown, but we must be careful and we must be cautious because, although central government monies to this Council have been very generous this year, we can't anticipate that the same will be true in subsequent years.  In fact, it's likely that over time, central government monies to this council will progressively diminish and that is we why we have to be so careful in the way we allocate and spend our moneys.

 

Question asked by Councillor Judith Skinner pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Would the Leader of the Council agree with me that the Covid 19 Enhanced testing stations at Tollfield Road and Peter Paine have been well attended by people in the Borough and that they are an ongoing success in slowing the spread of the virus in our community. Would he also join me in thanking Officers and volunteers for making the process at the stations an easy process for residents?”

 

Response by the Leader

 

“Thank you for your question Cllr Skinner.

 

I most certainly would agree and also thank both those that have used the facilities, remembering that identifying every single one of those asymptomatic cases prevents the spread of Covid 19 in our community, and all of the staff supporting the Testing Stations Officers and Volunteers.

 

Furthermore I was asked to visit the Sidings and the PRSA vaccination centres, our NHS Staff, officers and volunteers are also doing a magnificent job for our community!”

 

Supplemental question asked by Councillor Judith Skinner pursuant to paragraph 10.6 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

“The testing stations were due to close yesterday, could you provide an update?”

 

Response by the Leader

 

“I can confirm that the testing stations open presently will continue to operate until the end of February and further confirm there will continue to be a test facility in Boston until the end of March.  This will take every single one of these asymptomatic cases out of harms way and stop the spread of the disease”

 

Question asked by Councillor Brian Rush pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution.

 

“Councillor Abbott, some weeks back I asked you a question regarding the whereabouts of around (20) Twenty Pop Up Shelters which were purchased for the launch of a locally inspired initiative under the banner of Bargate Green  Co-Operative.

 

The initiative, was the brainchild of the highly respected locally owned Consultant group Anderson and Glenn.

 

Would you confirm that there were indeed 25 Shelters purchased, in 2007 at a minimum cost of £30,000...of Boston taxpayers money!

 

I have, as you might expect, looked into this issue, but I feel it is only fair to give you, as the Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre, an opportunity to explain their whereabouts, and why they are no longer in use on the Green?”

 

Response by Councillor Tracey Abbott

 

“I thank Councillor Rush for notice of his question and refer him to the response he was provided to a similar question asked at the last meeting of the Council, which is clearly set out in the minutes for that meeting attached as part of this agenda.”

 

Supplemental question asked by Councillor Rush pursuant to paragraph 10.6 of the Rules of Procedure as set out in the Constitution:-

 

“I thank Councillor Abbot for her answer, however I have checked your previous response and it is clear to me you have not found the answers and do not know where to look to find the information or if you have questioned the fate of the gazebos. 

 

You have simply said they were not robust and of a lighter construction, which may be true but I am talking about gazebo stalls and thought everyone would know these, unlike market stalls, need to be well anchored down.  All you seem to suggest is that they were purchased for use on the Bargate Green market, which is correct. 

 

However, I have information and supporting evidence that the Bargate Green gazebos were last seen being used at a local charity event known as the Dragon Boat Race on a local drain.  I now have film evidence and have been informed that Council staff lent the gazebos out and delivered them to the bankside.  Sadly it seems they carelessly failed to secure them with the officially provided anchorages and, as a consequence of being left unattended, they blew over and were destroyed. 

 

We need to know who took the initiative to lend the equipment that was purchased using Boston ratepayers money and why some people think it was right to loan out equipment bought and paid for by the people of Boston then, through carelessness, allowed them to be destroyed. 

 

I believe your it is your duty to find out who was responsible for this debacle, find out if an insurance claim was made and, if not, report this to the police as a gross misuse of public funds and ensure an investigation is initiated.  Accountability is the principle of local government, can we rely on you to uphold it?

 

Response by Councillor Abbott

 

“I thank Councillor Rush for more information on this event.  I did ask for more information upon this and thank you for giving this to me.  I shall look into this, which as you know is operational information. I will see what I can find and what can be done.”

 

Councillor Anne Dorrian withdrew her questions.