Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2018 be confirmed.

Purpose of Report

To update the Executive on the progress of the Western Growth Corridor development from the perspective of its landownership and developer role and to seek a decision to proceed with taking the development forward.

Decision

That the Executive:

(1)  Approves to continue to develop the Western Growth Corridor sustainable urban extension planning application in line with the updated vision and objectives.

(2)  Authorises officers to negotiate a Delivery Agreement with the adjacent landowner (Lindum) on the terms outlined in the report.

(3)  Agrees the principle of accepting the Homes England funding offer under the Local Authority Accelerated Construction Programme.

(4)  Delegates to the Section 151 Officer and the Major Development Director authority to agree the detail of the grant from Homes England and in consultation with the Leader enter into the Funding Agreement for the first phase of infrastructure opening up costs.

(5)  Agrees that officers progress the work required to deliver the associated outputs and conditions of the Homes England Funding Agreement including the appropriation of the necessary land from Housing Revenue Account to General Fund that would result in a further report back to the Executive.

(6)  Agrees the targeted timetable of actions set out in the report, including the public consultation.

(7)  Agrees that officers continue to develop a delivery model for the Council’s landholding for consideration at a future meeting of the Executive.

Alternation Options Considered and Rejected

Other options explored were set out in paragraph 13.1 of the report.

Key risks associated with the proposal were set out at paragraph 13.2 of the report, which included reference to a risk register which had been in place and had evolved throughout the development of the scheme.

Reason for Decision

Work on progressing delivery of the Western Growth Corridor development had been held up for over a year whilst resolution was sought on the following issues:

·         the Scarborough family landownership was structured to enable them to enter into the necessary agreements to bring forward the wider development and to then deliver development on their landholding;

·         undertaking of further detailed transport work to reflect the new county highways model with further analysis to identify the optimum highways access strategy for the development that also gave the best benefits to the existing residents and businesses in the adjacent communities and the wider city area;

·         the outcome of the Accelerated Construction funding bid.

Updates on these aspects of the scheme were set out in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.9 of the report, together with a revised project plan set out in paragraph 2.10 which included key milestones and a targeted timeline, with completion of the phase one infrastructure targeted for Winter 2020/21.

Consideration was also being given as to how the Council brought forward development on its landholding should consent be granted. Options included the setting up of a wholly owned development company, entering into a joint venture with a development partner and the Council itself undertaking a mix of development options. The latter involved the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

Purpose of Report

To report to the Executive the options relating to the expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes in Lincoln.

Decision

That the Executive:

(1)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the streets identified in Appendices A and B.

(2)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the Bailgate between Newport Arch and Westgate.

(3)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the streets identified in Appendices C and D.

(4)  That officers review parking demands in the parts of St Catherine’s and Newark Road marked blue on Appendix C and also the sections of Monks Road beyond the existing Residents’ Parking Scheme area, upon consultation of the proposals above.

(5)  That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, additional streets identified for inclusion as part of proposed Residents’ Parking Schemes since the publication of the report be included as part of the above formal consultations as appropriate.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The development and implementation of Residents’ Parking Schemes in Lincoln had been well established over many years and was now in place in 19 zones covering a significant part of the city. It was generally acknowledged that in order to defend residents’ ability to find a place to park near their homes, then an authorisation scheme needed to be operated.

Paragraph 3.2 of the report outlined the process and responsibilities for extending or introducing new Residents’ Parking Schemes. The City Council was responsible for all costs associated with the initial survey work, public consultations, drafting and advertising the Traffic Regulation Order and the corresponding signs and road markings. If supported and agreed, the City Council would administer the permits for residents and retain the permit income in mitigation of costs incurred, which should be no more than the cost of introducing the scheme in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1984. Once installed, enforcement of on-street contraventions within the Residents’ Parking Scheme was the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council, with the County Council retaining all income from any Penalty Charge Notices issued to offset the costs of enforcement.

Residents’ Parking Schemes were known to have a number of benefits, not just in helping those residents who lived in a given area. Studies had shown that up to 30% of circulating traffic which was looking for a free parking space was removed from an area after the introduction of parking controls. Further key benefits were set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

The expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes was currently an identified priority within the joint City Council and County Council Parking Strategy for Lincoln, taking into account the expected increase in housing growth within the Lincoln catchment area which would significantly impact car transport seeking to reach Lincoln’s city centre.

Over the last few years public comment had led officers to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

Purpose of Report

To provide the Executive with an opportunity to consider the City of Lincoln Council Annual Report 2017/18.

Decision

That the Executive supports adoption and publication of the City of Lincoln Council Annual Report 2017/18 and refers it to Council for approval.

Alternation Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Annual Report 2017/18 was a backward looking document which highlighted the City Council’s key activities and outcomes over the past year. It also considered what preparations had taken place for new projects and what the authority had done to put it on a strong footing for the future.

The Chief Executive reported that the last year had been a very significant one for the City of Lincoln Council as it saw delivery of phase one of Vision 2020,  emphasising the following highlights from the year:

·         completion of the £30 million Lincoln Transport Hub;

·         completion of the £4 million project to restore Boultham Park;

·         completion of the £1.5 million project to renovate Birchwood Leisure Centre;

·         installation of a network of CCTV cameras;

·         implementation of the rouge landlords project;

·         implementation of the Trusted Landlords Scheme;

·         implementation of the Empty Homes Strategy;

·         development of new council houses in the city.

The report also included a summary of the annual accounts and a summary of the annual governance statement.

The Chief Executive said that the report demonstrated an incredible year for the Council, with the above successes having been completed alongside ongoing delivery of the Council’s services which she was very proud of.

The Performance Scrutiny Committee had considered the content of the Annual Report at its meeting on 23 August 2018, a copy of which was appended to the report. A number of formatting and typographical errors would be amended prior to final publication of the document.

Councillor Metcalfe agreed that the Council’s achievements during 2017/18 had been remarkable and had been delivered with very constrained resources.

Purpose of Report

To review the Council’s scheme for the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupancy.

Decision

That the proposed City of Lincoln scheme for mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupancy be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

New legislation would come into force on 1 October 2018 extending the criteria for the types of Houses in Multiple Occupancy that needed a licence and imposed minimum room sizes and new mandatory conditions to be applied to all licences. The adoption of amenity and space standards for the city clarified the Council’s expectations for the standard of shared housing in Lincoln, helping landlords to know what they need to provide and supporting officers to respond to the challenge.

It was estimated that the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation requiring a licence as a result of the new requirements would increase from 300 to 900 properties.

The revised Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation scheme was set out in Appendix A of the report and incorporated the following key changes:

·         a number of definitions within the licence had changed, which were clarified in appendices attached to the scheme;

·         a new Houses in Multiple Occupation online portal was in the process of being configured which would enable applications for licences to be submitted electronically. The scheme had therefore been amended to reflect this;

·         the licence fee had been updated to reflect changes to the Trusted Landlord Scheme;

·         in terms of renewals, legislation prescribed and restricted what documents the Council could require applicants to submit for an application to be valid. The revised scheme specified these requirements;

·         the revised scheme defined ‘appropriate people’ to hold a licence, in that they needed to prove that they had the necessary financial resources and had authority to act in respect of any property associated with the application;

·         a number of amendments to Appendix 10 in relation to satisfactory management arrangements. This outlined what the Council expected of landlords, with high-profile prosecutions having already being executed regarding landlords, ensuring that the Council continued to be robust through its processes and ensuring that they were complied with. Evidence could also be collated electronically as part of the online portal to assist with this;

·         adopted standards had been incorporated into the scheme to reflect new minimum requirements, but this also included guidance from a discretionary perspective in addition to those that were mandatory. Lincoln had a large number of Houses in Multiple Occupancy so it was important to push standards, with these revisions set out in Appendices 11 and 12 relevant to all Houses in Multiple Occupancy in the city, which were consistent with neighbouring areas;

·         further clarity was provided in relation to fire safety and fire doors in particular;

·         further clarity was provided in respect of conditions associated with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms;

·         further clarity was provided regarding the requirement of landlords to ensure compliance with the Council’s waste disposal scheme, particularly in relation to bins being left on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Purpose of Report

To inform the Executive of the Council’s roles and responsibilities relating to modern slavery.

Decision

That the Modern Slavery Statement and Charter Against Modern Slavery be adopted.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

Modern slavery was a broad term which could include any of the following:

·         forced labour;

·         debt bondage or bonded labour;

·         human trafficking;

·         descent-based slavery;

·         child slavery;

·         forced and early marriages.

The City Council had a role in stopping modern slavery by:

·         ensuring staff had a clear understanding of modern day slavery and knew how to recognise and report signs;

·         communicating and promoting materials highlighting modern day slavery as an issue within Lincolnshire;

·         ensuring the Council’s procurement procedures were in line with the Modern Day Slavery Charter.

The Council’s proposed Modern Slavery Statement was as set out in Appendix A of the report, with the Charter Against Modern Slavery attached at Appendix B of the report which included ten commitments for local authorities to attain. It was reported that the City of Lincoln Council was already very close to complying with all ten commitments.

It was noted that the Corporate Plan reference in the Modern Slavery Statement would be amended to reflect the most up to date version.

Purpose of Report

To inform the Executive of legislative changes to the licensing of animal activities and to seek approval for the implementation of the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

Decision

That the proposal contained within the report be supported and referred to the Council for approval.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 would come into force on 1 October 2018 and act as the primary legislation for the licensing of the following animal activities:

• animal boarding (catteries and kennels);
• home boarding of dogs;
• dog day care;
• dog breeding;
• riding establishments;
• sales of animals (formerly pet shops);
• performing animals (formerly a registration administered by Lincolnshire County Council).

All animal activities would be subject to the same regime which would bring them all into alignment with conditions nationally set for each defined activity, as contained within the Regulations.

A star rating system allowed customers to see how businesses performed against the Regulation standards which, as a condition of the licence, would have to be on display alongside the licence at the premises. A scoring matrix would be in force to ensure consistency for the star rating system and there would be provision of an internal appeal process.

Inspections of premises would be carried out by the City Council’s Animals Warden and a vet check would also be conditional to the granting of a licence.

Fees and charges would be locally set based upon full cost recovery as set out in the Regulations. Proposed fees and charges for the City of Lincoln were set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, subject to the performing animals licence being set at £220 rather than £250 due to their being no risk assessment necessary as part of the granting of that particular licence.

It was noted that the Council could opt to offer a reduction in fees for registered charities in respect of catteries, kennels and performing animals. This issue had been considered by the Council’s Licensing Committee which had recommended a 10% reduction in fees for such charities.

Details relating to the proposed delegation of authority to the Assistant Director for Communities and Environment, the Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour and Licensing Service Manager, Licensing Officers, the Animal Warden and the Licensing Committee were outlined in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 of the report.

You are asked to resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items because it is likely that if members of the press or public were present, there would be disclosure to them of 'exempt information'.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, notice is hereby given of items which will be considered in private, for which either 28 days' notice has been given or approval has been granted by the appropriate person specified in the Regulations. For further details please visit our website at http://www.lincoln.gov.uk or contact Democratic Services at City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln.

This item is being considered in private as it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. No representations have been received in relation to the proposal to consider this item in private.

Item 12 is being considered in private as it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and has not been deferred for the reasons established in the published notice.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business because it was likely that if members of the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

This item was considered in private as it was likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. No representations had been received in relation to the proposal to consider this item in private.

Purpose of Report

To request approval for a proposed management restructure.

Decision

That the recommendation contained within the report be approved.

Alternation Options Considered and Rejected

Alternative options considered were contained within the report.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that the Council’s structure was fit for purpose and that the authority built resilience against changing demands.

The proposal involved changes to services with some directorate transfers and involved adding four additional posts to the establishment.

There were no redundancies as part of this restructure.

The City of Lincoln Council Employee Joint Consultation Committee had considered and supported this proposal at its meeting on 4 September 2018.