Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 August 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

Purpose of Report

To present the first quarter’s performance (up to 30 June 2022) on the Council’s General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Housing Repairs Service and Capital Programmes, and to seek approval for changes to the capital programmes.

Decision

1.           That the financial performance for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022  and the projected outturns for 2022/23 be noted.

2.           That the underlying impact of the pressures and underspends identified in paragraphs 3.2 (and Appendix B), 4.2 (and Appendix D), and 5.2 (and Appendix F) be noted.

3.           That the changes to the General Investment Programme approved by the Chief Finance Officer as detailed in paragraph 7.4 be noted.

4.           That the changes to the General Investment programme and the Housing Investment programme as detailed in paragraphs 7.3, 7.10 and 7.11 be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Council approved a balanced budget earlier this year, but much had changed since that point. Critically, inflation had risen to the highest level in forty years, driven in part by the effects of Covid19, global supply chain disruptions, Brexit and the war in Ukraine. The consequence of this spiralling inflation on pay, contractual and energy costs had resulted in growing financial pressures for the Council, with the General Fund forecasting a significant financial shortfall for 2022/23 and with cost pressures also in the Housing Revenue Account and Housing Repairs Service.

As a result, the Council needed to consider a range of mitigation actions if it was to retain a sustainable financial position in 2022/23. Alongside this the Council would focus on lobbying Central Government for funding to support councils through these inflationary pressures, and for long-term sustainable funding settlements for local government.

The impact of these new financial pressures the Council faced could not be underestimated and were not solely related to 2022/23. These inflationary increases would permanently increase the cost base of the Council and would have implications for the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and, in the absence of additional financial support from Central Government, implications for the range and level of services that the Council could continue to provide. A further report setting out the financial impact beyond 2022/23 would be presented to the Executive later in October.

Whilst there were a significant number of planning variables which were subject to unprecedented levels of uncertainty, based on the latest set of assumptions as at the end of the first quarter (up to 30th June) the forecast financial position of the Council was detailed at paragraph 2.6 of the officer’s report

Updates were reported as follows:

General Fund Revenue Account

For 2022/23 the Council’s net General Fund revenue budget was set at £8,907,490 including a planned contribution to balances of £60,700 (resulting in an estimated level of general balances at the year-end of £2,731,299 after allowing for the 2021/22 outturn position).

The General Fund Summary was currently projecting a forecast overspend of £1,035,343 (Appendix A provided a forecast General Fund Summary), resulting in general  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Purpose of Report

To share the revised CCTV Code of Practice with the Executive, seeking its formal adoption.

Decision

1.    That members adopt the revised Code of Practice.

2.    That the Code of Practice be reviewed again in response to any changes made by the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill if/when it became law.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The Council was required to have a clear policy for the operation of its CCTV system.

By not adopting the new Code the Council would be at risk of challenge relating to operating to an out of date Code, and the Code would not properly reflect operational changes and legislative changes which had already been delivered in practice.

Reason for Decision

The Council’s CCTV service was bound by various legislative requirements, including the Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act, Protection of Freedoms Act and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The Council’s CCTV service operated under a Code of Practice which brought together the various legislative requirements of a public CCTV system and ensured that the service operated lawfully and appropriately, providing a robust, reliable, trustworthy service.

This revision took into account operational and legislative changes since the last full review in 2014, ensuring compliance with the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s (SCC) Code and all relevant legislation. Members, residents of Lincoln and visitors to the City could therefore be assured that the service was operating appropriately, efficiently and in a manner that maximised opportunities to help detect and reduce crime, and to make Lincoln a safer place, whilst protecting the privacy of individuals.

At the time of drafting this report, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill was making its way through parliament. If this bill became law there were implications for CCTV, including changes to the role of Surveillance Camera Commissioner. The Code of Practice would be reviewed again in light of those changes.

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.

X. 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.

Y. 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, 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.

Purpose of Report

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Decision

That the recommendations to the Executive, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Reasons for the Decision

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Purpose of Report

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Decision

That the recommendations to the Executive, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Reasons for the Decision

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.