Agenda and minutes

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

There were no declarations of interest.  

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor was pleased to report on some of the activities he had undertaken since taking office, which included his attendance at the following:

·       The Opening of the Cornhill Market, Lincoln

·       A performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the New Theatre Royal in Lincoln

·       Supporting the Royal Logistics Core at the Waggoners Challenge at Sledmere House

·       Lincoln Shrievalty Association Annual General Meeting

·       Lincolnshire Show

·       Ecumenical Vespers at St Peter and St Paul’s in Lincoln

·       NW Counselling Hub Open Day

·       Kyra Music Festival at the Epic Centre

·       Watoto Children’s Choir at Holy Cross Church

·       The reburial of Mathew Finders in Donnington and welcoming the Mayor of Port Lincoln in South Australia to the event

·       University of Lincoln Graduations

·       Birthday celebrations of a constituent

There were no questions received.

Councillor Thomas Dyer to Councillor Joshua Wells

Question

The North Hykeham Relief Road is a significant infrastructure project which will provide significant traffic mitigation as well as vast economic benefits for both Lincoln and the wider region. What lobbying has the Executive member carried out to support Lincolnshire County Council with re securing this vital funding?

Answer

Completing the ring road around Lincoln had always been strongly advocated and supported by the Council. Both the Council and Lincoln businesses saw it as essential for the continued growth of Lincoln’s economy which therefore benefited the wider area. The Council also recognised that the completed ring road was needed to support much needed house building as well as the next stage of actions to address climate change, removing more traffic from Lincoln’s inner-city highway network, allowing the Council to promote better public transport and sustainable travel.

It was confirmed that conversations with Lincoln’s MP had taken place, who had publicly supported the need for the project and he continued to talk with ministers in DfT about it.

Councillor Rachel Storer to Councillor Bob Bushell

Question

We were all shocked and saddened by the news of the reported events at the crematorium earlier this year. Can the Executive member provide Council with an update on what safeguards have been put in place following the tragic events announced in July?

Answer

It was reiterated that six families did not receive the level of care and service that they and their loved ones deserved and expected. The Council had spoken with all the families identified as being directly affected by this situation and it was working with them to agree on lasting tributes to their loved ones.

The Council had since brought in experienced industry professionals to support the operation of the crematorium. Those experts had helped the Council review all of its policies and procedures and, where improvements had been suggested, they had been made. The Council was committed to delivering a professional service and the Portfolio Holder wished to reassure anyone using the crematorium that the high standards required were being met. The Council had been reassured by the feedback that had been received in recent weeks from everyone involved, and the Portfolio Holder was heartened to know the improvements the Council had made were noted and appreciated.

Supplementary Question

Please can councillors receive a fuller private briefing on this matter?

Answer

Yes, a private briefing could be arranged for councillors.

Councillor Bill Mara to Councillor Joshua Wells

Question

After only a few weeks since its opening, businesses are already complaining that the Cornhill Market is “not sustainable”. Can the Executive member explain how he is supporting the struggling market traders?

Answer

Since opening on 17 May 2024, the Market had been a real success and the Portfolio Holder was particularly pleased that it had won the Regeneration Restoration Project of the Year at the East Midlands Property Awards, which had recognised not just the building itself, but also the platform it had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Councillor Tom Dyer moved the following motion:

“The City of Lincoln Council notes:

          “The Labour government's reckless decision to slash the Winter Fuel Payment for the vast majority of pensioners, including the 170,000 in Lincolnshire and 12,875 in Lincoln without consideration for the devastating consequences.

“The shocking impact of this cut, with Age UK warning that 2 million pensioners who desperately need the money to keep warm this winter will be left out in the cold – among them, thousands in Lincoln.

          “The critical importance of Winter Fuel Payments in helping older residents in Lincoln and across the UK afford basic heating during the harshest months, preventing catastrophic ‘heat or eat’ scenarios and safeguarding lives.

          “The scathing condemnation from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance, and numerous charities, which have exposed the gross social injustice and the severe health risks that this ill-conceived policy change will inflict on the nation’s elderly.

          “The additional burden this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further driving them into poverty and leaving them to suffer in silence.

“This Council believes:

          “That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for countless older people in Lincoln, and the government’s decision to rip it away from all but those on Pension Credit will drive many pensioners into severe financial hardship, undermining their health and well-being.

“That this reckless decision will force many thousands across Lincoln, who sit just above the Pension Credit cut-off, into an unforgiving position, leaving them struggling to survive as their energy costs increase.

“The government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially at such short notice and without providing adequate alternative support, is heartless and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the lives of our most vulnerable older residents.

“That the government has utterly failed to address the barriers and stigma which prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving countless elderly people stranded without vital support at a time when they need it most.

“Council resolves to:

“Immediately launch a Council-led local awareness campaign to inform those eligible for Pension Credit, which in turn could offer some access to Winter Fuel Payments, though this falls far short of addressing the broader crisis caused by the government's decision.

“The Council Leader writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lincoln’s MP, condemning this heartless cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, and urging an immediate reversal of the decision to means-test the payment. The Council also calls on the government to provide immediate relief to vulnerable pensioners on low incomes, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit but are struggling with fuel poverty.

“Publicly support Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition and urge every Council member to sign and actively promote the petition, as well as calling on other councils across the country to do the same.

“Step up efforts within the Council to promote Pension Credit uptake by engaging directly with local charities, community groups, and other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Councillor James Brown moved the following motion:

“The Council notes:

?        “The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017.

?        “1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.

?        “In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.

?        “There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.

?        “The percentage of children living in low-income families in Lincoln in 2023 was found to be above the rate for England overall.

?        “Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in. *

?        “That scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year. *

?        “In Lincoln, 2,695 children are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments. That is 14% of all children in the local authority area. At the same time 6,858 local children are living in poverty. *

?        “Most families receiving Universal Credit are in work and many are struggling for reasons beyond their control – such as a family break-up, the death of a partner or losing a job.

?        “The stance of the Labour Government who are committed to keeping the cap – going as far suspending the whip from MPs who rebelled against this position.

“The Council believes that:

?        “The two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and harmful policy that should be scrapped. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

“Council resolves:

?      “That the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister indicating the City of Lincoln Council's strong belief that the two child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped – which would help 2,695 children living in Lincoln.

?      “That the Leader of the Council writes to Hamish Falconer, the Member of Parliament for Lincoln, asking him to commit his public support to the campaign to end the cruel two child limit to benefit payments.

?      “To ensure the number of children a family has is considered when a hardship grant is given out by the council.”

(*Research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition.)

The above motion was seconded by Councillor Martin Christopher, who advised this would act as a positive step in reducing child poverty and was pleased to support the motion for the reasons identified by Councillor Brown.

The following amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Naomi Tweddle:

“Delete all after:

                    “The Council notes:

·       “The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017.

·       “1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Councillor Sue Burke, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality, presented her report to Council, as detailed on pages 17 – 40 of the agenda pack.

The content of the report was noted.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED that the draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2024-2029 under the Licensing Act 2003, as detailed at Appendix B to the report, be approved.