Agenda item
Questions from Elected Members
Minutes:
The Chief Executive advised that the following questions had been received:
1. Question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Paul Gleeson
There has been significant commentary in the news and on social media regarding the council's decision to adjust member remuneration to align more closely with allowances paid to members of other councils locally and nationally
Do you as Leader of the Council have any comments or statements to make to update us on this issue?
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I would like to thank Councillor Gleeson for notice of his question.
The decision taken by the Council follows the first review of Councillors' allowances since 2022. Most other Councils have increased their allowances since then, some multiple times. For tax purposes council members and civic dignitaries are treated in the same way as any other individual who holds an office or is an employee. Allowances received are liable for Income Tax deductions.
At Council, an amendment to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel was proposed by Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Woodliffe, seconded by Cllr Bedford, and approved following a vote. The cost of the increase that was approved is the equivalent of less than half a pence per day, per resident - a worthwhile investment that I believe offers excellent value given the level of responsibility and complexity that now comes with being an elected Councillor.
The new allowances mean the Council can continue to draw on a wider talent pool from the local area, making the role more accessible to more people. Being a councillor is a great honour and privilege. It is only right that people from all walks of life, backgrounds and experiences have the opportunity to bring their skills and knowledge to the role to help their community. By offering a fair amount, we hope to encourage a range of voices - not just those who are comfortably in a position to sacrifice time and money.
The public duty of being a Councillor is one that comes with great responsibility and commitment. Councillors give up many hours to support local residents, attend meetings, and make important decisions that impact people's lives. My week on Council business is usually between 50 to 60 hours. All Councillors, I know, seek to do the best they can for the Ward they represent and the wider Borough. I truly believe that Boston Councillors will now receive an allowance that properly reflects the tremendous responsibility we all have.
2. Question to Councillor Callum Butler from Councillor Stuart Evans
The “COMMUNITY SKIPS” Trial in town, announced and then implemented in Aug, Sep & Nov 2024, said that… "Following the pilot we will review the results. Subject to what those results show, a permanent, regular service could be introduced, with the potential to bring community skips to other areas of Boston and our villages.”
I understand the Portfolio Holder has been given a final report. When can we expect to see the trial results and when will we have some dates for the implementation of the trials in the rural areas of Bicker, Swineshead, Old Leake, Kirton, Fishtoft & other rural villages in our Borough?
Response from Councillor Callum Butler
I would like to thank Councillor Evans for notice of his question.
I am pleased to say that there has been an overall reduction of flytipping in Boston Borough in the last 10 months. I have reviewed the evaluation of the community skip scheme, and it is likely that this, along with our targeted engagement and envirocrime work, has contributed to this reduction.
Subject to the overall cost of implementing a more permanent service being justifiable, we will endeavour to extend the reach of the community skips to the parishes within the wider borough of Boston. A briefing note is being drafted for Cabinet with proposals and costs for such a wider scheme.
3. Question to Councillor Callum Butler from Councillor Stuart Evans
May I also ask what expectations the Borough has of the forthcoming trials in these villages compared to the Boston Town Trials? May I remind you of the BBC statement, which said: “The council believes the programme is a positive step when it comes to keeping the borough’s streets cleaner”. As well as “We are taking a proactive
approach, trying something different to see if that has a positive impact.”
Do you agree that more areas trialled may see a more positive impact?
Response from Councillor Callum Butler
I am committed to trying different initiatives to keep the borough’s streets cleaner, and I would expect residents to make good use of the skips where provided in villages. In relation to more trials having a positive impact, yes, which is why, subject to costing, we are hoping to roll out a borough wide scheme as set out earlier.
Supplementary question to Councillor Callum Butler from Councillor Stuart Evans
Thank you for that positive response. On the matter of cost, it could be argued that if there is money available for increased allowances, then there is money available for important projects like this one. Do you not agree?
Response from Councillor Callum Butler
I think that we need to be careful with the budgets that we have and we will review it and we will see where we go. At the end of the day, it will be a Cabinet decision. I’m hopeful that it will be approved, as I have said previously, the figures have been positive for the last 10 to 12 months, so I can’t see any reason why not, but again, it all comes down to cost.
1. 4. Question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Madam Leader at January’s Full Council meeting the Independent Renumeration Panel were invited to share their report and recommendations to Full Council with regards a review of councillors’ allowances which was proposed to commence from April 2025. Members had asked the Independent Renumeration Panel to carry out this piece of work. It was a fair review bringing allowances in line with the other 2 councils we work closely with. Full Council accepted an amendment to the report, the costs being way above and beyond what the IRP recommended, not only that but the amendment also included backdating allowance increases to April 2024.
The amendment gives you a 49% allowance increase, and you will receive £16,000 in back pay. Without the backpay the extra cost of the amendment over the IRP proposals is £55,597. We are all aware by 2028 Boston Borough Council will have disappeared, and councillors have been accused of milking the system while it is still there. What is your view on the decision taken?
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I would like to thank Councillor Rylott for notice of her question.
With regard to my view on the decision taken, I will refer you to my statement which is published on the Council’s website and which I have read out as my response to another question on the same topic.
Your claim that you have been accused of ‘milking the system’ can be easily refuted by the fact that Full Council took the decision about the allowances on 20th January 2025 but the letter from the Minister inviting this council to submit proposals for Local Government Reorganisation did not arrive until 5th February 2025. Up to the point of receiving the letter, there were absolutely no guarantees that the government would indeed follow through with previously whispered proposals, because Sir Keir Starmer has been known to flip flop on other decisions.
I do not recognise the figure of £16,000 that you’ve quoted here and in actual fact, it is far from the truth. I think it is unacceptable for councillors to engage in feeding disinformation into the public domain. You should be aware of the extreme levels of vitriol and abuse that I received when the decision was taken, and it is harmful for you to introduce false information into the public discourse. You should also be aware that one of the reasons cited for recommending the increase in allowances was to encourage a more diverse field of candidates, making the role of councillor ‘more accessible to more people.’ A recent study by Kings College, London found that ‘online harassment, abuse and intimidation directed at politicians is on the rise…..and that female politicians face such behaviour more often than their male counterparts.’ Worse still, they report that, ‘this kind of hostility can deter women from remaining in politics and discourages those who haven’t run for office from considering it.’ I would urge you then, to think carefully before making comments which have the potential to cause the maltreatment of others.
Supplementary question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Madam Leader, your group took control in 2023 with a majority, 18 - 12 to be exact. I am only a group of five and have little say in decisions made by Boston Borough Council. You have the majority and are therefore able to do whatever you wish. You may have given Boston a Christmas tree - that was the biggest mistake the Conservatives made in the eyes of the residents.
Another thing the Tories never did was award themselves a 49% allowance increase. The anger and dismay from the residents of Boston has damaged all councillors’ reputations as we are now seen to be doing this role for only one reason. Allowances should not be considered as a direct payment of working. If you think it should, you are in this role for the wrong reasons.
Since last Full Council your personal comments regarding other
fellow councillors and workers were not at all professional.
Councillor Cantwell did approach all members and asked if they
would revisit the allowances matter. Only six said they would
support this. He needed ten to reopen the matter within a six-month
period.
On reflection of the harm done to this Council, will you encourage
Members - you have the majority - to reconsider the amendment made,
and accept the recommendation made by the Independent Remuneration
Panel, with no back dating?
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
You say you have little say in the decisions made in this Council. Can I suggest Councillor Rylott that if you turned up to a meeting once in a while, turned up to a briefing once in a while, you would have far more say in the decisions that are made but you are absent, it seems, more often than you are actually here. No, I will not ask my group to reconsider the decision made. You are picking at a scab, hoping that it will bleed once more. You do nothing to further the cause of this Council, of which you are a member, but you do everything you can to discredit it and shame on you for that.
5. Question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Madam Leader, I understand over the last few months you have been invited to attend meetings regarding the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority board, would you please give Full Council an update on those meetings that you have attended.
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I would like to thank Councillor Rylott for notice of her question. The District Joint Committee has now met twice. On the first occasion four named nominations were made for the Mayoral County Combined Authority. At the second meeting it was agreed that the District Joint committee would be a formal nominating body for the MCCA. We still await confirmation from the MCCA to allow us to make further appointments.
As Leaders, we to discuss the composition of the new committee, and myself, Cllr Ashley Baxter and Cllr Trevor Young took great care to express the importance of having fair representation on this new board. We reminded the other leaders that at the district council elections in May 2023, the residents of Lincolnshire removed three Conservative-run councils and replaced them with two Independent administrations and one Lib Dem administration. We also reminded our leader colleagues that the tally of councillors in the county was as follows; Independent 115, Conservative 114, Labour 33, Lib Dem 29. All of this was to no avail and it became apparent that a deal had been struck behind closed doors and the Tory leaders swept 3 seats and Labour took the remaining seat.
Given that the three upper-tier councils are run by the Conservative Party, it is highly probable that the six constituent members of the new GLMCCA will be Tories, thus making it extremely important that the non-constituent seats were allocated in a way which represents the political configuration of the county. We failed to get an acceptable outcome but in making the decision they have, I believe that the others have shot themselves in the foot. My group here in Boston is furious and I know those feelings are shared by councillors in West Lindsey and South Kesteven. It was Theresa May who commented that people saw the Conservatives as ‘the nasty party’ and this type of behaviour shows me that things haven’t really changed. It is my hope that folk will remember that they cannot trust the red team or the blue team when they go to the polls in May.
Supplementary question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Madam Leader, do you not think it would have been more suitable to send a factory worker to the meetings you have attended, as they would have had the stamina to stay to the end, not walk out before a meeting has concluded?
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
We're just playing into political
tropes now, aren't we? You're demeaning factory workers. You are
trying to insult me, knock yourself out Claire. I hope you are
enjoying yourself. We're still in control.
6. Question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Madam Leader, South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership is made up of Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council. The aim of the partnership was to deliver growth and regeneration to the area, to seek greater access and vital Government funding and to find a position where it can identify and secure new investment into the sub-region, which is often viewed as being left behind for these transformative sums of money. As Leader of this Council do you have a good working relationship with the other 2 partnership council leaders?
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I would like to thank Councillor Rylott for notice of her question. As with all my political relationships, I base them on the Nolan Principles, particularly when it comes to honesty, integrity and openness.
Supplementary question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Claire Rylott
Can you confirm to
Council that you have withdrawn all car parking and access cards at
BBC to ELDC executives and why?
Response from Councillor Dorrian
Yes, I can confirm
that I have withdrawn car parking spaces and access passes from
elected members at East Lindsey District Council and South Holland
District Council and that by booking through Alison Hull, when they
come here for meetings, they can have access to the building and
they can have a daily pass and they can have a car parking space
reserved for them. All that was communicated, but well done
you’ve really managed to lower the tone tonight, Claire. Well
done.
2. 7. Question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Anton Dani
Such schemes can enhance the look and reputation of our much loved town.
Madam Leader, would you please tell us if there have been any applications submitted or will be forwarded by our Council regarding any Funds to the Government for similar Plans or Designs? Thank you.
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I would like to thank Councillor Dani for notice of his question.
I too am inspired by the fantastic development we are leading at Rosegarth Square; our Levelling up funding, together with our ongoing partnership with the NHS, stands to totally transform that area, creating real value for our community and local businesses, and delivering visible transformational change.
Whilst the current government has not opened up any new funding schemes at the financial scale of the Levelling Up Fund or the Towns Fund, we are actively planning how to maximise the 10 year, £20 million endowment fund we are negotiating under the Long Term Plan for Towns and will seize upon any opportunity to secure resources into our Borough that create value for our communities, both at the large scale but also at smaller scales.
Supplementary question to Councillor Anne Dorrian from Councillor Anton Dani
All
I can say is that I wish our Council good luck in the future, in
attempts for gaining any other funds or any levelling up, and I
will say sizing up in any opportunities is the way to go
forward.
Response from Councillor Anne Dorrian
I'd just like to thank Councillor Dani sincerely for your good wishes. You and I don't often meet in the middle, see eye to eye, but I accept your sincere good wishes in the manner in which you have extended them. Thank you.