Agenda item
QUESTIONS FROM ELECTED MEMBERS
Minutes:
The Chief Executive advised that the following questions had been received:
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“As reported in the Boston Standard, Barclays Bank has given notice that its branch in Boston’s Market Place will close permanently at noon on Friday 10th May (2024). Barclays Bank has written to its customers stating that it will be consulting Boston Borough Council, our Member of Parliament, and other affected groups prior to closure.
Has Barclays Bank sought the views of our Council yet and if so, what was our Council’s response?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I would like to thank Cllr Woodliffe for notice of his question. I am disappointed to report that neither officers nor portfolio holders at Boston Borough Council received any formal notification of the consultation regarding the closure of Barclays Bank in Boston’s Market Place.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Given the very low response to the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Project consultation, apparently a mere 0.365% participation or 1 in 274 of the adult population, do you consider that there is any justifiable reason for Greater Lincolnshire continuing this controversial devolution project in its current form?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“The consultation response was dire and in my view does not provide a sound basis with which to proceed with such an enormous change to local government arrangements.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“It has been pointed out to me that the fund for the replacement of the refuse vehicles appeared to be missing from the Budget Overview 24/25 etc., as presented to the C&C Committee on Thursday 1st February 2024. Is that the line (BC03) Neighbourhoods Vehicle Replacements in the New Capital Bids Section, in Table 12, page 24, of the Capital Programme (Funding and Resource Implication) in the Draft Budget Setting Report and if not has there been a change in the policy regarding the replacement of refuse vehicles?”
Response from Councillor Ghosh
“The refuse replacement was included within the Capital Programme that went to C&C on 1st February 2024, this was at page 40 of the agenda pack. Yes this is BC03 Table 12 page 24 of the Budget Report as noted within the Cllr question.
The refuse fleet replacement included within the BC03 'Neighbourhoods Vehicle Replacements' figure within the £2.004m for 2027/28, of this budget £1.785m relates to the refuse fleet with the remaining £219k being other vehicles within the service.
There has been no change with regards to plans to replace vehicles when their useful life has expired.”
Supplementary question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“Not so much a question as a comment. I sincerely hope that the figures here will suffice given the fact that we have suffered quite significant inflation recently. So, perhaps you would like to write to me, Councillor Ghosh, and confirm that actually the figures we have got here will ensure we will have sufficient funding for replacement vehicles. A written answer is preferable please.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“The Budget report reveals that the PSPS contract has been increased by 20%, which I understand is for time-limited finance support specifically relating to Towns Fund, LUF and UKSPF, so the cost and the grant should fall away when that funding ceased. However, I understand that there may be a need for support from our reserves. Can you quantify what the request to reserves is likely to be?”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“One of the main drivers of the PSPS contract uplift is pay and contract inflation. There are also additional grant funded areas which are supported by that funding. When the grant funding ceases then this cost will also reduce. There are no planned uses of reserves to support the contract.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“According to the consumer organisation, “Which?”, Barclays and the NatWest Group combined have closed nearly 2500 branches across the UK since 2015. Barclays Bank is insisting that it will still be a part of our community in Boston after the closure of its branch in Boston but customers might view the voracity of such a statement to be highly questionable, given that customers were only informed of the consultation process after the decision to close had been announced.
With other banks likely to follow suit, and probably with similar closure and consultation timescales, what initiatives does the Council have under consideration to revive commercial interest in Boston’s town centre?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I would like to thank Cllr Woodliffe for notice of his question. As part of our manifesto, the Boston Independent group promised that we would develop a Town Centre Strategy within six months of taking control of the administration. I am absolutely delighted to say that we have delivered that on time, with a quality piece of work. That strategy is a real, live document which contains 76 action points and is overseen by an enthusiastic and committed board of individuals who ensure that those targets are delivered against timescales. In fact, they are scheduled to meet this afternoon. We have also developed a really exciting programme of events to take place in the town centre and I’d like to point out that the attendance of approximately 7000 people at the Christmas lights switch-on and Christmas Market shows that local residents really will support the town when they are given the opportunity to do so. We have also developed a business forum and a taxi forum which will help us really understand the issues facing our local traders and enable us to have a continual dialogue with them going forward.
You will also be aware of the Boston Towns Fund which is supporting Heritage Lincolnshire with shop front and public realm improvements, the Levelling Up funding which is allocated to the regeneration of Rosegarth Street and known as the PE21 project; and grants for businesses and business support are available through UK Shared Prosperity Funding. The new Levelling Up Partnership and Long-Term Plan for Towns will be focused on addressing town centre issues and we are beginning to develop those initiatives now. The Council is also benefiting from funding received from Arts Council England to support cultural events and activity in the town.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“In regard to the Devolution project, given the disdainful manner in which Boston Borough Council has been treated so far, what guidance would you consider offering Lincolnshire County Council in order to help restore District Councils’ confidence in the Devolution process?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I thank Cllr Woodliffe for notice of his question. It was extremely disappointing that LCC chose not to invest in the projects submitted by this council in order to address the long-held belief that has now been proved as fact – that Boston residents get a much lower return on their council tax than other areas of the county. At this stage, I don’t think there’s anything that LCC could do that would restore the confidence of local people because they’ve been let down time and time again. If Cllr Martin Hill were to dig deep and find some additional grant funding for this district it would be most welcome; but it would be very difficult not to look him in the eye and tell him that he’s a day late and a dollar short.”
Question from Councillor Stephen Woodliffe to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“To what extent will the Budget for 2024/2025 be dependent upon support from Council reserves?”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“I can confirm that only one-off/specific revenue items or capital projects are being supported from reserves. This is set out in detail on pages 50/51 of the Agenda pack totalling £2.556m of which £2.115m relates to Capital Expenditure previously approved to be supported from the Capital Reserve and £441,000 from various reserves to support specific one-off/specific revenue costs as detailed on those pages.”
Question from Councillor Anton Dani to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“Forecasted Parking income for 2023/2024 is £ 1,019,000 and for 2024/2025 906,000, could you please give an explanation for both forecasts, while there are shops closures and the footfall in town is down? Page 43 table 7”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“As reported to cabinet as part of Q2 on 13th December 2023, car parking income is not achieving the pre-covid levels budgeted for, during 2023/24. The budget for 2024/25 has therefore been “re-set” to reflect current volumes, the additional increase in charges has also been factored in. The full implications of the new machines and increased enforcement plus work to promote Boston has yet to be established and therefore we consider this a prudent position for 2024/25. This will be monitored regularly through the software we have for the machines and updated on as part of the regular finance reports to PFH and Cabinet.”
Supplementary question from Councillor Anton Dani to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“Thank you Councillor Ghosh for your response. Well, I will just go because we are a sub committee for parking and I will give you some figures for noting.
The first six months of 23/24 we have been short of £86,536.27. On our permit income we are short of £5,098. So the first six months indicate that we are already short of £86,000 compared to 22/23 we had only £882,000 so therefore I think the figure of £1,019,000 doesn’t stand up. We have to look at the reality and I would like you to justify that £1,019,000 once more because I do support the town and I do support the hard work that the Council is doing to promote the town.”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“First of all I really have to go back and check the numbers you gave. But in terms of addressing this issue we are looking at initiatives to support the town centre and its vibrancy through events and support to the businesses and markets. The Deputy Leader that leads on this area is usually committed to driving a footfall and supporting our town. We will also use the data from the new system to analyse how the car parking is being used with a view to both incentivising use and increasing income.”
Question from Councillor Anton Dani to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“All sources of Income show for the year 2023/2024 £56,394,000 and for 2024/2025 £60597,000 , while the Gross Expenditure for 2023/2024 shows £68,157,000 and for 2024/2025 is £74,205,000 , the question here is how will the BBC manage to fill the shortfall? Page 45 table 9 and Page 46 table”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“Table 11 on page 48 gives further detail on how the budget has been balanced in each of the years. The figures from tables 9 and 10 feed into it along with an efficiency target budget to calculate the net budget figure. The net budget requirement is then funded from the various sources as indicated in table 11 to give a balanced budget each year. Efficiency savings will be required during each year to balance the budget, these being £664k for 2023/24 and £846k for 2024/25. Detailed efficiency and transformation plans have been put together for Members consideration. The areas being considered include Service Reviews, Procurement, Service Redesign, alignment of ICT to create service efficiencies and transformation working with our key partner PSPS Limited.”
Supplementary question from Councillor Anton Dani to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“You stated service reduce, reduce some of the services. Are we going to sacrifice some services in the town?”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“As I mentioned before as well there is no cut short of services we are trying to work on the efficiencies and that is what we are trying to achieve here.”
Question from Councillor Anton Dani to Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“Interest paid on borrowing for 23/24 indicates £494,000 and for 24/25 suggests only £111,000, is the later interest means that the BBC will pay off one it’s loans? Page 46 table 10”
Response from Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
“On 9 October 2023, the Council prematurely repaid £15.449m of external borrowing to the Public Works Loan Board, this has therefore reduced the budget for interest paid on borrowing from 2024/25 onwards.”
Question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Is the cabinet member happy with the business rates uplift East Lindsey and Boston Received from the Triton Knoll?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I thank Councillor Cantwell for notice of his question, no.”
Supplementary question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Your administration is coming up to a year in office. What has the Boston Independent Party done about carrying on the work to appeal this award and what meetings have the Portfolio Holders for Finance had regarding this, considering the major part of this infrastructure is in my ward in Bicker Village.”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Thank you Councillor Cantwell. Well, I don’t know what work went before because you referenced something that the previous administration had done. But I can tell you what we have done.
For the benefit of those that are unaware of what we are talking about, Triton Knoll brings with it business rates and the award goes to the area that incurs, where it is most expensive, to put that line in; and that was deemed to be East Lindsey District Council because they put the line in underground. It’s far more expensive to install underground, obviously, than it is over ground. So East Lindsey were allowed to keep all the business rates which was about £4.4m and we got zero.
So what have I done about it? Well, I have lobbied our MP, Matt Warman, I have spoken to him and felt that he was very receptive to my concern about this. I explained to Matt Warman both verbally and followed up in writing, and I would be happy to let you have a copy of that letter Councillor Cantwell, that I wish to now campaign to change the legislation. Because the legislation at the moment is irrefutable. It doesn’t, and we have taken our own legal advice on the matter, and its irrefutable. We are not allowed to benefit from the business rates. Well, legislation is just laws that are made by men and if they’re made by men they can be changed by men. So I am going to campaign now. My Cabinet are very supportive. The whole Boston Independent Group are very supportive and its something that we would hope to achieve, certainly within the next couple of years, and if you would like to get on board you would be really welcome.
We are also going to start something called, like a National Infrastructure Board. That might have a slightly different name. But the Partnership Councils are going to create a new body, if you like, that will campaign on everything to do with national infrastructure projects because there may be a lot of, as I called it to Matt Warman, unintended consequences that arise out of these national projects.”
Question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“What meetings have Boston Borough Council had with the 6 county councillors in regards to coordinating lobbying and briefing them on relevant information since May 2023?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I can confirm that no members of cabinet have had a request to meet any of the six LCC representatives since the May 2023 election. I can also confirm that during my very first meeting with the Leader of LCC I implored him to get his councillors to actually do their ward work and to respond to emails from residents and Boston Borough councillors alike; with the worst offenders being Cllrs Skinner, Griggs and Ashleigh-Morris. I was pleased that Cllr Hill offered his support.
I meet regularly with all the Leaders of the councils in Lincolnshire and would expect that they in turn share any relevant information emanating from those meetings.
As to the ‘regular updates’ you mention, I have never, ever received such a document from any LCC councillor!”
Supplementary question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Why isn’t the Boston Independent Party administration actively engaging with the Lincolnshire County Councillors and equally can you clarify what you mean by ‘regular updates’ as I haven’t heard that phrase in the question I asked and I think it would be good to get clarity on what you mean by ‘regular updates’.”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“OK, if I can remember what the question was. Well, because they’re lazy. That’s one reason we don’t meet with them. They’re really lazy. They’re ineffective. Some of them aren’t very nice people, either, even though they got elected by the good people of Boston. They’re ineffectual, did I say that? They’re smug, they’re arrogant, they’re unpleasant; and as I said before I meet regularly with all the Leaders of the County and I would expect that they pass on relevant information from those meetings. I’ve met with every single person, Councillor Cantwell, that’s asked me for a meeting. Every single one . I refuse no one and that offer’s open. So, if one of your mates wants to come and have a meeting with me they can do. But they have to ask for it.”
Question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“Did you know the bids Boston Borough Council put through to Lincolnshire County Council for the Mayoral Authority funding didn’t meet all the eligibility criteria?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“I thank Councillor Cantwell for notice of his question, no.”
Supplementary question from Councillor James Cantwell to Councillor Anne Dorrian
“The letter Martin Hill sent you on 1st February is a damming and revealing set of facts. Will you take blame for pontificating at this last Full Council, as well as your colleagues, without knowing the full set of facts about why Boston’s bids were rejected?”
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
“No.”